Carom seeds are safe to consume for the majority
of people. Women who are pregnant or
breastfeeding should avoid taking carom seeds,
as they have been shown to have toxic effects on
fetuses.
Carom seeds are the seeds of the
ajwain herb or Trachyspermum
ammi, commonly used in Indian
cuisine.
Although referred to as “seeds,”
carom seeds are the fruit of the
ajwain herb.
They’re slightly green to brown
in color and have a pungent,
bitter taste. They look similar
to cumin seeds, but their taste
and aroma are closer to that of
thyme.
They’re often sold as whole
seeds but can also be ground
into a powder and used as a
cooking spice.
Carom seeds are incredibly
nutritious, being rich in fiber,
antioxidants, and other vitamins
and minerals. Because of this,
they have been associated with
health benefits and long been
used in traditional Indian
medicine practices.
