What is "caraway seed"?

Caraway seeds are the small, crescent-shaped seeds of the caraway plant, which is a member of the parsley family. These seeds have a distinctive warm, earthy flavor with hints of citrus, and are commonly used as a spice in cooking and baking. Caraway seeds are popular in European cuisine, particularly in dishes from Germany, Austria, and Scandinavia. They are often used to flavor breads, cakes, and cookies, as well as savory dishes like sauerkraut, stews, and roasts. Caraway seeds are also used to flavor spirits such as aquavit and kümmel. In addition to their culinary uses, caraway seeds are believed to have digestive and medicinal properties, and have been used in traditional herbal remedies for centuries.