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| Elwendia persica | |
|---|---|
 | |
| A field of cultivated plants ofElwendia persica | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Apiales |
| Family: | Apiaceae |
| Genus: | Elwendia |
| Species: | E. persica |
| Binomial name | |
| Elwendia persica (Boiss.) Pimenov & Kljuykov | |
| Synonyms | |
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Elwendia persica is a plantspecies in the familyApiaceae.[1][2] It is related tocumin (Cuminum cyminum) and sometimes calledblack cumin,[3]blackseed,[citation needed] orblack caraway,[4] and has a smoky, earthy taste. It is often confused withNigella sativa (which is also calledblack cumin, black caraway, or black seed[5][6]), by which it is often substituted in cooking.
DriedE. persicafruits are used as a culinaryspice in northernIndia,Pakistan,Bangladesh,Afghanistan,Tajikistan, andIran. It is practically unknown outside these areas.[citation needed]
Local names for that spice arekala zeera (काला ज़ीराblack cumin) in hindi,shahi zeera (শাহী জিরা, (शाहि ज़ीरा;imperial cumin) inBengali andHindi, assyah zirah (سیاہ زیرہ;black cumin),kaala zirah (کالا زیرہ;black cumin), andzirah kuhi (زيره كوهی;mountain/wild cumin) inUrdu,zireh kuhi (زيره كوهی;wild cumin) inPersian, andsiyoh dona (сиёх дона;black seed) inTajiki, and in Malayalamsahajīrakaṁ (സഹജീരകം).[citation needed]
The commonly used Hindi termshahi zeera may be a distortion ofsyahi (black in Persian)zeera. However, in theHindustani language, the termsyahi also means "inky black". InBengali,kalo zeera also means black cumin, but refers toNigella, notE. persica.Nigella is widely used as a spice inBengali food.[citation needed]
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The plant bears slender, elongate, ribbed fruits which are harvested once the plant has become very dry. Not more than 5 to 8 g can be plucked from each plant, contributing to their high price.
The seeds are most valued as a garnish to high value, very specialIndian dishes; they should not be ground, as their flavour would be reduced.
