Caraway is a biennial plant that grows about 60cm high (24 inches) and has pale-green, finely defined leaves on hollow steams, The flowers are white tinged with pink and umbrella shaped, with similar shape to those of carrots. The root is thick and tapering and is pale in colour and has a similar flavour the the seeds. To prepare the caraway seeds, the seed heads are harvested while covered in dew to keep the seeds in the heads. The complete stalks are stored in a dry place for 7-10 days to dry through, before threshing to remove the seeds. The seeds are 5mm long and are split into two crescent-shaped, dark-brown seeds. The taste of caraway seeds is warm, earthy, bittersweet and nutty with hints of anise and eucalyptus. Caraway is indigenous to all of Europe, as well as North Africa, Asia and into India; the Netherlands is the largest grower of caraway seed.