Tag: Celery seed

While both come from the same plant, celery seed is a highly concentrated spice that offers a different flavor profile and no texture compared to fresh celery stalks. This distinction is crucial when deciding which to use in your cooking, as the substitution isn't always straightforward.

Originating in the Mediterranean region and parts of Asia, wild celery has been used for thousands of years as a spice and for medicinal purposes. Today, celery seed is also called smallage or goes by its scientific name, *Apium graveolens*, and is valued for its concentrated, earthy flavor in a variety of dishes.

According to the World Health Organization, hypertension affects an estimated 1.28 billion adults aged 30–79 years globally. While many people rely on medication to manage their blood pressure, a growing body of evidence suggests that certain spices can also play a supporting role in maintaining healthy levels.

According to McCormick, celery seeds are the dried fruit of a wild celery plant and have a much more intense and concentrated flavor than fresh celery stalks. This means that knowing how to use celery seed instead of celery requires a careful approach to achieve the desired flavor without overpowering your dish.

While both come from the *Apium graveolens* family, celery seed is actually harvested from a wild variety of the plant, not the common supermarket stalks. This crucial distinction means they offer dramatically different flavor profiles, textures, and culinary uses, making them far from interchangeable in the kitchen.

Herbalists have used celery seed for thousands of years, and research reveals it contains compounds called coumarins, which have blood-thinning properties. It is important to know if and how does celery seed thin the blood, especially for those on anticoagulant medication.

One teaspoon of celery seed has a flavor potency equivalent to one cup of chopped celery, highlighting the intense concentration of this tiny spice. Navigating this potency is key to understanding how much celery seed equals 2 stalks of celery for cooking and recipe substitutions.

Celery salt, a staple in many pantries, often consists of approximately 85% salt and 15% ground celery seed. But is celery salt strong? Its potency is a balance between the intensely flavored seed and the salt, making its strength more nuanced than it seems.

While it may seem counterintuitive, celery salt does contain less sodium by volume than regular table salt. This difference is because celery salt is a blend of salt and ground celery seeds, with the celery seeds displacing some of the sodium chloride.

According to culinary tradition, celery salt is a key ingredient in many classic American dishes, including the Chicago-style hot dog and the Bloody Mary. But if you find yourself without this unique seasoning, you may wonder: what is the closest thing to celery salt for your recipe?