Definition

Noun 1. A Mediterranean herb (Nigella sativa): A plant native to the Mediterranean region, also known as black cumin, black caraway, or kalonji. It is cultivated for its pungent, aromatic seeds which are used as a spice, similar in culinary use to caraway or coriander seeds.

Usage Notes

• The term "Roman coriander" is a historical or regional name. In modern culinary and botanical contexts, the seeds are more commonly known as black cumin, nigella, or kalonji.
• It is important to distinguish this plant from true coriander () and true caraway (), as they are different species, though the seeds are used in somewhat similar ways.

Examples

• The recipe calls for a teaspoon of Roman coriander to garnish the flatbread.
• Roman coriander seeds have a complex flavor, with notes of oregano, black pepper, and onion.
• Historically, Roman coriander was used both as a spice and in traditional medicine.

Advanced Usage

• Botanical Classification: The plant belongs to the buttercup family (Ranunculaceae), unlike true coriander which is in the parsley family (Apiaceae).

Variants and Related Words

• Black cumin (n): The most common modern English name for the seeds of .
• Nigella (n): The botanical genus name, often used as a common name for the seeds.
• Kalonji (n): The name for the seeds in South Asian languages like Hindi and Urdu.
• Fennel flower (n): Another occasional name for the plant, referring to its delicate, ornamental flowers.

Synonyms

• Black caraway
• Nutmeg flower (an older, less common name)

Related Phrases

• Not an idiom, but a common clarification: "Roman coriander, also known as black cumin, is not related to true coriander."

Noun

1. herb of the Mediterranean region having pungent seeds used like those of caraway