Himachali Kala Zeera (Black cumin) is an economically important medicinal plant and spice herb growing wild in the dry temperate regions of North western Himalayas. It is a small, grassy and perennial plant, which produces white or pink compound umbel of flowers on the terminal and lateral stems during the third year of its life
It grows as a wild plant in the forests and grassy slopes of dry temperate and high mountainous regions (1850 ‐ 3100m amsl), comprising regions of Kinnaur, Lahaul ‐ Spiti, Pangi and Bharmaur of Himachal Pradesh.
Biological classification of Rice is as given below.
Kingdom : Plantae
Division : Tracheophyta
Class : Magnoliopsida
Order : Apiales
Family : Apiaceae
Genus : Bunium
Species : persicum (Boiss.) B. Fedtsch.
Himachali Kala zeera grows wild in the forest areas and farmers collect the matured seeds from the forests areas. In some parts of the state it cultivated for commercial purposes. In Shong village, District Kinnaur, Kalazeera is being cultivated as a cash crop on large scale.
Kala Jeera is also called Shahi Zeera. Shahi word is derived from the Persian word ‘syahi’ which means black, this is where Kala Zeera derives its name from. It is a basic ingredient in Himachali cuisine as well a very popular spice in north Indian cuisine. Generally used to flavour curry and rice dishes.
It has a higher concentration of volatile oils responsible for its unique flavour and taste. Its stem is often hollow in the internodal region with secretory canals containing ethereal oils and resins.
Several therapeutic effects including those on digestive disorders, urinary tract disorders, diuretic, gynaecologic, anti‐convulsion, anti helmetic, anti asthma, and dyspnea have been described for the seeds
Black cumin seeds contain essential oils rich in monoterpene aldehydes; the main components are cuminaldehyde, p‐mentha‐1,3‐dien‐7‐al and p‐mentha‐1,4‐dien‐7‐al; terpene hydrocarbons are ‐terpinene, p‐cymene, ‐pinene.
The major difference between Himachali Kalazeera and other species is the presence of higher concentration of volatiles oils, containing higher percentages of aldehydes responsible for the flavour of the seeds and lower percentages of terpene hydrocarbons.
GI Tag Registration Date : 04 March 2019
GI Tag Number : 432
Certificate Number : 336
Geographical Area : Himachal Pradesh
Special Cover Release Date : 05 October 2021
Cancellation : Shimla 171 001
Type : GI Tag Cover
Cover Identification Number : HP/09/2021
The back side of the cover has a QR Code.
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