Dill is an annual herb native to the Central Asia, it is also widely grown in Europe and Northern Africa for its culinary and medicinal use. Dill weed, dried leaves of the same plant is also used for flavoring. It is milder in taste when compared to dill seed.


Origin
Dill originated in Central Asia. It is however is also grown in large quantity in Egypt and Mediterranean countries or Eastern Europe. It is also getting popular in North America. It's related species Sowa is grown in India whose fruits are larger but less fragrant.

Description Of Dill Seed
Dill seed brown in color. It is oval shaped seed with with one side flat having two ridges. The other side of the dill seed is convex. The convex side has three ridges and three oil channels. The size of the seed is around 5 mm (0.15 in). The leaves and stalks of the dill seed is aromatic. They are used for pickling. The flavor of the seed is slightly bitter which is similar to caraway

Chemical Composition
Dillseed and the leaves contains essential oils but the oils from both the sources are not the same. The oil content of the leaves include carvone, limonene, phellandren and monoterpenes that decides aroma whereas the fruit oil consist of carvone, limonene and other monoterpenes. Indian dill consistb of phenylpropanoid dill apiole (6-allyl-4,4-dimethoxy-1,3-benzodioxol).

Form of Dill Seeds

• Whole Dill Seeds
• Grounded Dill Seeds

Trade in Dill
Global Scenario
India and Pakistan are the major dill production areas, Egypt, Fiji, Mexico, Netherland, United States, England, Hungary are other commercially productive areas, making small contributions to the world production.

Indian Scenario
India is the leading producer of dill seed and its derivatives. The exports of the essential oil and seeds have grown over the past five years. India supplies whole and powdered spice to various European countries.


Cultivation of Dill
Dill seed is generally cultivated in a well drained soil. The plant thrives and grows well in the region where there is good sunshine. The seed is sown in the month of April. The distance between the two seeds is kept upto 12 inches. Spring is the best season for its growth. The height of the plant extend from one feet to three feet. The flower of the plant is yellow which when turned brown, indicates that harvesting time has arrived.

Uses of Dill
Culinary Use
Dill has a strong aroma and used for flavoring food in different cuisines. The herb is also used to manufacture pickles and soups. The herb must be used fresh, as the leaves lose the flavor immediately on drying. Dill seed is also popularly used in making salad dressings, curry blends, processed food and meat, cheese and bread.

Medicinal Use
Dill is used for its antispasmodic, carminative, diuretic, stimulant, and stomachic properties. It is also used as a remedy for insomnia and colic. Dill Seed Oil is also used for its therapeutic value.