Advertisement
Celery seeds’ many uses, from flavouring Bloody Marys and Indian food to treating gout
Celery plants, known for their stalks, also yield tiny aromatic fruits used in European and Indian food, cocktails and alternative medicine
Reading Time:1 minute
Why you can trust SCMP
The celery we get in supermarkets comes in the form of long, clean, tidy stalks that are eaten as a vegetable; sometimes the aromatic leaves are attached.
The plant, though, also yields tiny pieces of fruit called celery seeds, which are used as a spice. Although the seed is small, the flavour is strong – and, surprise, celery-like.
It is used in alternative medicine. According to the University of Maryland Medical Centre, in the United States, the seeds are used as a diuretic and to treat everything from inflammation to muscle spasms, anxiety and gout, although “there are no scientific studies … that show whether celery seed helps treat these conditions or any others”. It does say, however, that the seeds work as a mosquito repellent.
Advertisement
Celery seed is used in European and Indian cuisines. It can be mixed with other seeds and sprinkled over bread dough before it is baked.
Celery salt is a commercial spice mix made by mixing ground celery seeds with salt, although this is something you can make easily at home.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Select Voice
Select Speed
1.00x