Nigella seeds (kalonji, black seed, or black cumin) are the seeds of Nigella sativa, used as a spice and traditional medicine across the Middle East and South Asia. Their distinctive bitter, slightly peppery flavour comes from thymoquinone and other volatile compounds that are the subject of significant pharmacological research. They provide useful calcium, iron, and magnesium per tablespoon.
Toast briefly in a dry pan to release their aroma; scatter over flatbreads, salads, or yoghurt. Use 1-2 teaspoons per recipe — their flavour is pronounced and can overpower dishes if used too liberally.
Where Nigella seeds (kalonji) Stands Out
Macronutrients per 100g
Vitamins & Minerals
| Nutrient | Per 100g | % Daily Value* | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iodine | 0.000 µg | 0% | |
| Polyunsaturated fat (PUFA) | 16.0 g | — | |
| Monounsaturated fat | 14.0 g | — | |
| Glutamic acid | 3.97 g | — | |
| Arginine | 2.51 g | — | |
| Aspartic acid | 1.88 g | — | |
| Leucine | 1.71 g | — | |
| Valine | 1.19 g | — | |
| Phenylalanine | 1.07 g | — | |
| Alanine | 1.05 g | — | |
| Serine | 1.05 g | — | |
| Proline | 1.05 g | — | |
| Isoleucine | 0.961 g | — | |
| Glycine | 0.941 g | — | |
| Threonine | 0.752 g | — | |
| Tyrosine | 0.732 g | — | |
| Lysine | 0.732 g | — | |
| Histidine | 0.543 g | — | |
| Methionine | 0.460 g | — | |
| Cysteine | 0.376 g | — | |
| Tryptophan | 0.314 g | — | |
| Plant sterols (total) | 100 mg | — | |
| β-Sitosterol | 70.0 mg | — | |
| Stigmasterol | 15.0 mg | — | |
| Campesterol | 15.0 mg | — | |
| Omega-6 (Linoleic acid) | 15.0 g | — | |
| Omega-3 (Alpha-linolenic acid) | 1.00 g | — |
* % Daily Value is the proportion of an adult
EU Nutrient Reference Value (NRV) supplied by 100g of this food.
NRVs are the labelling standard — the same basis as the “%RI” figures printed on
food packaging — so these percentages are directly comparable with a shop label.
They are a single adult figure and do not vary by age or sex, which is why they
sometimes differ from UK dietary reference values: the NRV for vitamin C is 80mg
where the UK RNI is 40mg. When Nutriofia assesses your own intake in the
reports and trackers, it uses the age- and sex-specific UK values instead.
Fibre is shown without a percentage. Our fibre values use the UK
Englyst NSP method, while the published 30g daily goal is an AOAC figure — the two
are measured differently and a single percentage would mislead.
How we source and normalise our data →