Key facts
| Hindi name | Kalonji |
|---|---|
| Also called | Mangrail, kalo jeera (Bengali) |
| Flavour | Oniony, slightly peppery and bitter. |
| Heat | No heat |
| Sold as | Whole seeds |
| Stays fresh | Whole: 1 year · check your jars |
| Best substitute | Black sesame plus a pinch of onion powder. |
| Used in | 1 of our blend and 2 of our dishes |
How to use it
Sprinkled on naan, used in panch phoron, pickles and Bengali vegetable dishes.
- Toast lightly or fry in oil to bring out the flavour.
Substitute
Black sesame plus a pinch of onion powder.
Storage
Keeps a year or more.
Nigella is often wrongly sold as "black onion seed" or "black cumin".
Pairs well with
Dishes that use nigella seeds
Blends with nigella seeds
Panch phoron
Bengal and Odisha
A whole-seed mix of five spices in equal parts, used without grinding.
Frequently asked questions
What is nigella seeds called in Hindi?
Kalonji. Also known as Mangrail, kalo jeera (Bengali).
What can I use instead of nigella seeds?
Black sesame plus a pinch of onion powder.
How long does nigella seeds keep?
Keeps a year or more.
Tips from travellers
Use Nigella seeds differently at home? Share your tip. The first good one goes right here.
Share a tip
Questions from readers
Question about Nigella seeds? Ask it here.