Aromatic spices occupy one of the most honorable places in modern cooking. They help to make the taste of dishes unusual, filling them with special notes. To such universal spices belongs and aszhon. In our country it is less popular than, for example, chili, black pepper, cinnamon or cumin, but still has a positive reputation.
What is azhgon?
Azgon is an annual plant with a straight branching stalk on which seeds are formed. Grains are painted in green or dark brown color, which will depend on their degree of maturity. In the cooking, both seeds and leaves of this plant can be used. The latter have a spicy flavor and a burning taste.
Cultivate Indian caraway seeds in the Crimea, countries of East and South Asia, as well as in Africa and Kyrgyzstan, where they are exported to other countries. Azgon is a high-yielding plant - from one hectare of crops it is possible to collect up to 12 centners of the product.
Exposure to the body
Azgon is not only a fragrant spice, but also a medicinal product. And, as always, the benefits of the plant will be enclosed in the composition. Seeds are rich:
- essential oils;
- by thymol;
- y-terpinene;
- with paraffin;
- with n-cymene;
- carvacrol;
- ptsimol;
- is dipentene;
- with petroselinic acid glycerides.
Also these grains contain protein, vitamins, among them A, B1, B2, B3 and C, and minerals: calcium, phosphorus and magnesium.
Useful properties
Thanks to these substances, azhgon is able to display a lot of useful properties. Timol is known for its antiseptic and antihelminthic effect. Even in ancient India, the plant was used in cholera and showed very high efficiency. In addition, it is thymol that promotes wound healing and helps to relieve inflammation.
Note! Despite these useful qualities, Azhon still does not deserve a worthy place in folk medicine and for therapeutic purposes it is used extremely rarely and with extreme caution. This is due to the fact that the same thymol is able to show a rather powerful irritant effect.
Azgon with proper application is capable of:
- to stimulate the digestive system;
- improve the performance of the respiratory system;
- normalize the function of the kidneys, liver, spleen;
- to remove intestinal cramps;
- show a choleretic effect;
- to tone the body;
- relieve gastric colic;
- stimulate the nervous system;
- save from gases;
- to eliminate headache;
- strengthen lactation;
- remove from the body slag;
- to increase appetite;
- help in children's flatulence;
- to cure hemorrhoids;
- to improve brain activity;
- strengthen and restore vision;
- drive away insomnia;
- relieve of nausea and vomiting;
- cure colds, flu, asthma, laryngitis.
Important! Azgon is categorically contraindicated to use with increased acidity of gastric juice!
Application in Cooking
Azgon or Indian caraway is a versatile spice that has found its place in the field of cooking. And despite the rather specific taste qualities, it can be used for cooking a variety of dishes - both basic and sweet. This seasoning is used in almost all world cuisines:
- Asians savor the dishes of vegetables and legumes with azhgon;
- the Egyptians add it to the meat;
- inhabitants of Central Asia seasoned them with pilaf and added to the dough when making traditional flat cakes;
- Turkmens prefer to put it in traditional sausage from horse meat and lamb.
This spice is perfectly combined with potatoes and fresh fruits, ideally plays in salads and even in jams. It can be used in almost all hot and first courses, flavor it with sour-milk products and bakery products.
In addition, azhgon is used in the preparation of marinades. It is added when pickling cucumbers and cabbage, mushrooms and tomatoes. With the help of Indian cumin you can give an unusual flavor to potato soups, stewed vegetables, as well as fish and meat casseroles.
Tip! To azhgon managed to give the dish a more intense flavor, then it must first be fried in a dry hot frying pan. And if in this form add it to the melted butter, you will get an incredibly aromatic dressing for cereals.
Finally, it is recommended to buy whole seeds of azhgon, which can be ground immediately before adding to any dish. This method will maximize all the flavor and aromatic qualities of spices. Store it in a glass container under the lid in a dark, dry place.