Kummel has a fresh and bitter aroma, which is similar to that of anise. It is ideal for making bread and focaccia, for flavouring cheese, baked potatoes and meat dishes such as roast pork or Hungarian goulash. Its extract is used to flavour some spirits.
Native of Arabia, it is produced and exported to Holland, Canada and the United States. Its scientific name is Carum Carvi, although it is commonly known by at least four different names: kummel, meadow cumin, caraway and German cumin. It can be confused with common cumin, although kummel has a more tapered shape.