Nigella sativa (black caraway, also known as black cumin, nigella, and ,kalonji) is an annual flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae, native to south and southwest Asia.

N. sativa grows to 20–30 cm (7.9–11.8 in) tall, with finely divided, linear (but not thread-like) leaves. The flowers are delicate, and usually colored pale blue and white, with five to ten petals. The fruit is a large and inflated capsule composed of three to seven united follicles, each containing numerous seeds.

The seeds of N. sativa are used as a spice in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines. The black seeds taste like a combination of onions, black pepper, and oregano. They have a pungent, bitter taste and smell. The dry-roasted seeds flavor curries, vegetables, and pulses. They can be used as a “pepper” in recipes with pod fruit, vegetables, salads, and poultry. In some cultures, the black seeds are used to flavor bread products. Nigella is also used in Armenian string cheese, a braided string cheese called majdouleh or majdouli in the Middle East.