Black cumin, commonly known as Nigella sativa, is a small flowering plant valued for its tiny black seeds, which have been used for centuries in cooking and traditional medicine.

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​Black cumin seeds (often called black seeds or kalonji) are small, angular, and deep black in color with a slightly bitter, peppery flavor and a hint of onion and oregano. The plant is native to South and Southwest Asia, and its seeds have a long history of use in cultures across the Middle East, North Africa, and the Indian subcontinent.