Ajwain

Ajwain, ajowan (/ˈædʒəwɒn/)Trachyspermum ammi, also known as Ajowan caraway,bishop's weed or carom, is an annual herb in the family Apiaceae. It originated in the eastern Mediterranean, possibly Egypt, and spread up to India from the Near East. Both the leaves and the fruit (often mistakenly called seeds) of the plant are consumed by humans. The plant is also called bishop's weed, but this is a common name it shares with some other different plants. The "seed" (i.e., the fruit) is often confused with lovage "seed." (fruit)

Description

The small fruits are pale brown schizocarps and have an oval shape, resembling caraway and cumin. It has a bitter and pungent taste, with a flavor similar to anise and oregano. They smell almost exactly like thyme because it also contains thymol, but is more aromatic and less subtle in taste, as well as slightly bitter and pungent. Even a small amount of fruits tend to dominate the flavor of a dish.

Cultivation and production

The plant is mainly cultivated in Iran and northern India.Rajasthan produced about 55% of India's total output in 2006.