Celery Seeds

Celery is the dried fruit of a perenniel, herbaceous plant, usually 60 to 180 cm high, with white flowers in compound umbels. The leaves are coursely toothed and segmented. When the umbels dry, the crop is harvested and threshed. The fruit is made up of two united carpels each containing a seed. Celery seeds are very small about 1.3 mm in length. In appearance, they are brown ovoid and ridged. The celery seed has a pleasingly crisp texture and subtle flavor and has a slightly bitter taste. The celery stalk and leaves have an odour distinctly different from that of the seed.

India produces abundant quantities of high quality celery seeds due to congenial climatic and soil conditions. Celery is available under the two grades special and good. Besides the commercial grades, its essential oils are also available in the world market. Celery seeds are widely used as a food flavourant and in beverages. They are used in medicines and in perfumery.