Carom seeds are the seeds of the ajwain herb, or Trachyspermum ammi. They’re common 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.
Here are the top 6 health benefits and uses of carom seeds.Carom seeds have powerful antibacterial and antifungal properties.This is likely attributed to two of its active compounds,
thymol and carvacrol, which have been shown to inhibit the growth of bacteria and fungi.Test-tube studies indicate that these compounds may combat potentially harmful bacteria like Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Salmonella — culprits of food poisoning and other health conditions.