#27 best seller · Whole Spices · Aara
Ajwain (Carom Seeds)
The tiny seed that fixes both a paratha's flavor and your stomach after dinner.
Ajwain is small, thyme-flavored, and shockingly potent for its size — a quarter teaspoon changes an entire batch of dough. It's the spice that goes into paratha and puri dough, into pakora batter, and into the ajwain water grandmothers swear by for a heavy stomach.
It sells consistently because it serves double duty as both a cooking spice and a household home remedy, which means it's in demand in both the spice rack and the medicine drawer.
Where it goes in cooking
A pinch in paratha and puri dough gives a faint bitter-thyme note that's expected in most North Indian flatbreads.
It's essential in pakora and bhajiya batter, and shows up whole in tadkas for certain dals and vegetable dishes, particularly with bottle gourd and cabbage.
The home remedy side
Ajwain water — a teaspoon boiled in a cup of water and sipped warm — is one of the most common Indian home remedies for bloating and gas.
Roasted ajwain with a pinch of black salt, chewed slowly, is another version of the same remedy, used after heavy meals.
How to buy and store it
Good ajwain smells sharp and slightly bitter immediately when the bag is opened; if it smells flat, it's old.
It's used in small quantities, so a small bag lasts a long time — buy accordingly rather than the largest size on the shelf.
Ravi's quick tips
- •Crush lightly between fingers before adding to dough to release more flavor.
- •A little goes a long way — start with less than a recipe calls for if you're new to it.
- •Dry roast briefly before making ajwain water for a smoother, less sharp taste.
- •Store in a tightly sealed jar; it loses potency faster than many other whole spices.
Frequently asked
Is ajwain the same as carom seeds?
Yes, ajwain and carom seeds are the same spice; ajwain is the Hindi name.
Does ajwain taste like thyme?
It has a similar thymol compound, so there's a family resemblance, but ajwain is more bitter and pungent than fresh thyme.
How much ajwain should I use in dough?
About a quarter to half teaspoon per two cups of flour is typical for paratha or puri dough.
Will this be stocked at Fox Valley Bazaar?
Yes, ajwain is part of our whole spices lineup planned for our Appleton store opening.
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