caraway / kümmel
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caraway
A spice plant whose dried fruits (seeds) are used especially in European cuisine to season foods such as bread, cheese, or meat dishes.
Der Geschmack von Kümmel im Roggenbrot ist sehr charakteristisch.
The taste of caraway in rye bread is very distinctive.
You can tell whether the spice or the schnapps is meant from the verb. In the context of 'kochen' (to cook), 'backen' (to bake), or 'würzen' (to season), it refers to the spice. In the context of 'trinken' (to drink), 'bestellen' (to order), or 'ein Glas' (a glass), it refers to the schnapps.
Für den Schweinebraten braucht man unbedingt etwas Kümmel.
For roast pork, you definitely need some caraway.
As a spice, 'Kümmel' (caraway) is usually uncountable. As a drink, it is countable; for example, you can order 'einen Kümmel' (one kümmel) or 'zwei Kümmel' (two kümmels).
Ich mag keinen Kümmel auf meinem Brötchen.
I don't like caraway on my roll.
Caraway is a very distinctive spice for certain dishes in German and Austrian cuisine, especially rye bread, sauerkraut, cabbage dishes, and goulash.
Ohne Kümmel schmeckt das Sauerkraut nur halb so gut.
Without caraway, the sauerkraut tastes only half as good.
Kümmel schnapps is typically drunk as a digestif, meaning after a heavy or fatty meal, to support digestion.
Nach dem deftigen Essen tat ein Kümmel richtig gut.
After the hearty meal, a kümmel really hit the spot.
anise
'Anis' and 'Kümmel' are both spices made from plant seeds or small fruits, and they can appear in bread, pastries, or drinks. That is why they are easy to confuse. But the taste is different: 'Anis' tastes rather sweet and reminds many people of licorice. It goes especially well with Christmas cookies or certain spirits. 'Kümmel' tastes stronger and more savory-spicy, and is often used in bread, cheese, cabbage, or meat dishes. If it tastes sweet and licorice-like, 'Anis' is usually meant. If it is savory and spicy in bread or hearty dishes, 'Kümmel' is more likely to fit.
Für das frische Bauernbrot nimmt der Bäcker etwas Kümmel.
For the fresh farmhouse bread, the baker uses a little caraway.
In der Küche hat meine Schwester Anis in den Plätzchenteig gegeben.
In the kitchen, my sister added anise to the cookie dough.