Nigella seeds

Nigella sativa

spice · nuts & seeds

Small, black, angular seeds of a plant of the buttercup family — nothing to do with cumin despite the name black cumin; on naan breads and cheeses. They provide thymoquinone.

Origin

Western Asia and Mediterranean

Season (United States)

all year round

Preparation

Used whole, scattered over bread and naan before baking, or toasted for a few seconds in hot oil at the start of a curry; they are eaten with the dish.

Molecules

Thymoquinone

Did you know?

Nigella seeds were found in the tomb of Tutankhamun; and a saying attributed to the Prophet calls it a remedy “for every illness except death”.