Celery seeds are typically sold in small bottles because of their potency.
Celery seeds have been used for thousands of years for medical purposes. They have been used in the U.S. mainly as a food spice or flavor enhancer. Celery seeds can be extracted to form celery seed oil, which has the concentrated flavor of the celery seed. It is not well known that celery seed and celery stalks do not come from the same plant, although the plants are from the same family.
Appearance
Celery seeds come from the white flower of the celery seed plant that looks very similar to parsley. Celery seeds themselves are about the size of poppy seeds, and are brown. The seeds are oval shaped with a small slit down the middle, although because they are so small it may be difficult to see these details without a magnifying glass. To mix in celery seed without seeing it, use the extract of the celery seed, which is a liquid that should be used only in a few drops to be effective.
Flavor
Celery seeds are very strong and have the flavor of concentrated celery. Because the flavor is so strong it should be used sparingly. Although dried and brown in color the seed has a fresh flavor that tastes like the green of plants. When used in a capsule for medical purposes, the celery seed will often release a strong flavor that can be tasted and smelled in the hours following taking the capsule.
Culinary Uses
Celery seed is used in the kitchen as an ingredient in pasta and potato salads, salad dressings, Indian foods and to replace chopped celery stalk. Celery salt is a common addition to tomato juice or the alcoholic mixed drink, bloody Mary. To use celery seed as a replacement for celery stalk, use 1/8 teaspoon per 1/2 cup of celery stalk called for in a salad recipe. Although the crunch and texture of the celery stalk will be missing, the celery flavor will be replaced by the seed flavor.
Medical Uses
Celery seed is commonly used as a diuretic, although it has many other medical uses that have not been proven through any studies, such as a cure for gout. Studies do show that celery seed lowers cholesterol and can be used to protect the liver from the damaging effects of the pain killer acetaminophen. Studies also show that celery seed is an effective mosquito repellent. When used for medical purposes, celery seed is usually taken in extract or capsule form to increase the dose to an amount larger than what would be normally consumed in food.
Tags: Celery seeds, celery seed, celery seed, celery stalk, have been