Black Cumin (Shahjeera)

Black Cumin or Shahjeera is a different variety of cumin and is darker in colour with a bitter but slightly nutty note. It has a very mild flavour unlike the cumin. It is worth noting that this spice is distinctly different from caraway seeds and nigella seeds and cannot be substituted by both these spices. I have used a small amount of this spice only in my Garam Masala Powder as this spice when toasted gives a mildly nutty flavour and adds to the aroma of the powder.