Are dill and caraway the same thing or not: let’s understand the issue and learn to distinguish between them

In appearance, caraway seeds and dill have a certain similarity: their seeds and bushes are almost the same color and diameter. But if you look closely, the difference is visible. The two plants can be distinguished at the moment of flowering. In the article, we will take a closer look at what it is, the similarities and differences between cumin and dill, as well as their beneficial properties.

Cumin and dill - are they the same thing or not?

Externally, caraway fruits are very similar to dill, and they are easy to confuse. In fact, these herbs belong to different families: they have differences in botanical characteristics and cultivation habits.

Reference. The name "dill" comes from the word sprinkle. Previously, dill was not cut, but sprinkled, that is, the leaves were torn and sprinkled on the dish immediately before serving.

There is an opinion that dried Dill seeds - this is cumin. Many people think so because dill and caraway seeds are the same color and almost the same size. However, this opinion is wrong.

What is the difference

To distinguish between these two plants, let's look at plant growing data:

• they belong to different plant families, for example, dill grows throughout one season, and caraway is a biennial;
• caraway leaves are oval and oblong in shape, while dill has pinnately dissected leaves;
• cumin blooms with white and pink flowers, and dill has yellow inflorescences;
• ripe cumin fruits are harvested in summer, and dill in autumn;
• In dill, almost all parts of the plant are used, while in caraway, only the fruits are used.

Caraway

Cumin is a plant that is used primarily as a seasoning or added to baked goods. It is popular in European cuisine and is used in culinary recipes in other countries.

Cumin is a biennial plant, up to 90 cm in height. It belongs to the family of umbrella plants. It consists of a straight, furrowed stem with many branches. The leaves are oblong in shape, most often tripartite, and have several swollen sheaths.

The inflorescences are small, white-pink in color, collected in small umbrellas, which contain up to 16 rays. The fruit consists of semi-fruits, dark brown in color, convex in shape, each of them has five light ribs. Caraway begins to bloom in late May or early June, and the fruits ripen in July or August.

Cumin consists of chemical components:

• fatty oil;
• flavonoids;
• proteins;
• tannins;
• essential oil;
• limonene;
• carvone;
• carvacrol

Dill

An annual plant that is used as a spice for soups, salads and other dishes, and is also used for salting and pickling preparations for the winter.

Belongs to the Umbelliferae family, tall the bush grows up to 140 cm. The stem of the plant is straight and very branched, has thin stripes and a coating similar to wax. The leaves are pinnately dissected, located on narrow subulate-shaped lobes. The lower the leaves are, the longer they are. The inflorescences are small, yellow in color, collected in a multi-rayed umbrella, the size of which is 30 cm. It begins to bloom in June or August.

Compound:

• essential oils;
• nitrogenous and non-nitrogenous substances;
• sugar;
• cellulose;
• karatin;
• dillapiol;
• phellandrene;
• carveol;
• isoeugenol;
• ascorbic acid;
• vitamins B1, B2, P, PP;
• potassium;
• calcium;
• phosphorus;
• iron.

How to distinguish by appearance

You can distinguish thyme and dill by the following characteristics:

• Dill's seeds are flat and slightly smaller in size than caraway seeds;
• Caraway seeds have a curved shape, their size most often does not exceed 3 mm in length.

Differences in taste and smell

Fresh dill has a taste fennel, because of this they are often confused. The leaves are especially fragrant. The seeds taste slightly bitter and leave a sweet citrus aftertaste. The aroma of the fruit is similar to the smell of camphor.

Cumin has a pungent and strong smell and taste that is slightly reminiscent of dill. Each person may experience it differently: some say the smell of cumin is nutty, others compare it to grass.

Difference in beneficial and harmful properties

Let's look at the beneficial and harmful properties of cumin and dill in more detail.

Useful properties of cumin:

• the composition contains a large amount of vitamin E;
• has an antioxidant effect;
• strengthens the human immune system;
• eliminates some types of pain;
• has a diuretic effect;
• improves milk production in nursing women;
• normalizes the functioning of the digestive system;
• has a relaxing and calming effect;
• has a beneficial effect on male potency;
• accelerates metabolism in the body;
• eliminates unpleasant odor from the mouth;
• improves blood circulation.

Useful properties of dill:

• improves digestion;
• normalizes metabolism;
• tones blood vessels;
• prevents atherosclerosis;
• normalizes choleretic and diuretic functions of the body;
• helps treat cystitis and inflammatory kidney diseases;
• improves sleep;
• accelerates the removal of toxins and waste from the body;
• normalizes the functioning of the heart and blood vessels;
• has a diuretic effect.

In case of individual intolerance, cumin can cause an allergic reaction.

Harm of dill: dilates blood vessels, with frequent use this leads to deterioration of vision. Pregnant girls should avoid using it or eat it in small quantities. People suffering from atony of the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, It is not recommended to eat it in any form.

Application

Dill and caraway seeds are used not only for food. These plants are popular in medicine, cosmetology, cooking, cheese making, as well as in other industries.

Interesting! In India, cumin is the most important ingredient in soap making.

Caraway

Cumin uses in cooking:

• added to bread and baked goods;
• used for homemade preparations and pickles;
• added to some alcoholic drinks;
• season meat, soups, dressings and sauces;
• the seeds are used to make pate and cheese.

In medicine, cumin is used to treat:

• migraine;
• various lung diseases;
• intestinal colic;
• flatulence;
• constipation;
• painful digestion;
• cholecystitis;
• pancreatitis;
• inflammation of the gastric mucosa;
• pain in the gastrointestinal tract;
• urinary tract diseases;
• hepatitis A;
• cardiovascular diseases;
• bronchitis.

People who want to lose weight include cumin in their diet. It helps eliminate excess fluid, reduces appetite and helps get rid of some digestive problems.

Important! During excavations, archaeologists found cumin in the tombs of the pharaohs, which suggests that the plant was popular in ancient times.

Dill

Application in medicine:

• an infusion is prepared, the basis of which is the stem of dill; it is used for hypertension and kidney problems;
• the essential oil contained in dill is used as an antispasmodic and sedative;
• dill tincture is taken to remove phlegm and mucus, and is also drunk for hemorrhoids and allergic itching;
• Dill seeds are taken to relieve muscle spasms, for chronic coronary insufficiency, for neuroses, and also to prevent angina attacks.

In the food industry:

• dill is used for pickling vegetables;
• foliage is added as a spice to dishes;
• greens and seeds are added to baked goods, marinades, sauces, salads, soups, tea and sauerkraut; the phytoncides contained in dill help prevent premature spoilage of pickles;
• Dill essential oil is added to canned food, soap and some liquors.

In cosmetology:

• Dill greens and seeds are used in the preparation of cosmetics and eau de toilette.
• dill is found in creams, toothpastes and deodorants;
• To eliminate swelling and redness of the eyes, make lotions from dill infusion.

Features of cultivation

Features of growing cumin:

• the soil for planting is dug up and loosened;
• with the onset of autumn, the soil is fed with nitrogen-containing and mineral fertilizers;
• caraway seeds are planted after the snow has melted and the earth has warmed up a little;
• the seeds are planted at a distance of 35 cm from each other.

A distinctive feature of caraway is that after planting the plant develops extremely slowly. To speed up the process, periodically loosen the soil, weed, water and fertilize.

Features of growing dill:

• plant the plant near vegetables;
• planted in open areas with sufficient lighting and loose soil;
• to speed up germination, seeds are soaked in warm water for several days, then dried and placed in the ground;
• You can plant greens in spring, summer and even late autumn, keeping a distance of 5-10 cm between seedlings;
• after the first sprouts of dill appear, the beds are weeded and loosened;
• fertilize the soil with manure, urea or potassium salt;
• Water the greens regularly, but not abundantly; the soil should not be allowed to dry out completely.

You can harvest greens for salads at the end of May. For spices, umbels and stems are collected in July-August, and seeds in September-October.

Important! Dill is an unpretentious plant that can grow in any soil. The main thing is to fertilize with useful substances in a timely manner.

Contraindications

Cumin and dill - although healthy greens, still have certain contraindications. Let's look at them in more detail.

Cumin is contraindicated:

• with increased acidity of the stomach, gastritis, stomach ulcers, cholelithiasis, because essential oils contribute to irritation of the mucous membrane;
• with individual intolerance to the components that make up cumin, as well as for people suffering from allergies;
• for various heart diseases;
• after an organ transplant, as rejection may occur.

Dill contraindications:

• hypotension;
• allergic reactions to individual components;
• pregnancy;
• diabetes;
• atony;
• low pressure;
• kidney diseases.

Conclusion

Cumin and dill are indeed similar in appearance, but they have significant differences. The aroma and taste make both plants indispensable in cooking. Housewives use greens for winter preparations. Traditional medicine actively uses the beneficial properties of dill and caraway in its recipes.