SO Organic Nigella Seeds 200g (Black Cumin / Kalonji)
The fragrant black spice with the unmistakable smell of fresh-baked Turkish bread, in a regular-use 200g pack.
Santos Organics Organic Nigella Seeds are certified organic and sourced from India. Also known as black cumin, kalonji, or black caraway, these tiny matte-black seeds are not actually a cumin or a caraway at all. They come from the flowering plant Nigella sativa, and they're the spice you've tasted on naan, simit, and Turkish pide without ever quite knowing what it was.
The flavour is hard to pin down: warm, slightly peppery, oniony, with a hint of oregano and a soft toasted nuttiness. It's a spice that doesn't shout but transforms whatever it touches. Just a teaspoon scattered onto flatbread, stirred through dal, or pressed onto a wheel of feta will tell you everything you need to know.
The 200g pack is the right size for regular cooks of Indian, Middle Eastern, or Turkish cuisine who use nigella seeds across breads, dals, pickles, and finishing touches. If you go through more, the 1kg bulk size is better value per gram.
Why people love them
- Certified organic by ACO
- Whole, unprocessed seeds with no additives
- Sourced from India, the traditional home of nigella seed cultivation
- Versatile across savoury cooking, baking, and pickling
- A pantry staple in Indian, Middle Eastern, Turkish, and North African kitchens
- 200g resealable pack, good for regular kitchen use
How to use them
- Flatbreads and crackers: scatter onto naan, pide, focaccia, lavash, or homemade sourdough crackers before baking
- Dals and lentil dishes: toast in ghee or oil with mustard seeds at the start, or finish with a tarka (tempered spice oil) at the end
- Pickles and chutneys: essential in Indian achaar and Bengali panch phoron (the classic five-spice blend with cumin, fennel, fenugreek, and mustard)
- Cheese boards: sprinkle onto soft cheeses like feta, labneh, or fresh goat's cheese with a drizzle of olive oil
- Roasted vegetables: toss with cauliflower, pumpkin, or potatoes before roasting
- Eggs: scatter onto fried, boiled, or shakshuka-style eggs
- Salads and grain bowls: finishing touch on tabouli, fattoush, or hummus bowls
Storage
Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry pantry away from direct sunlight. Spices keep their flavour for roughly 12 months from opening, longer when sealed.
Ingredients
100% organic nigella seeds (Nigella sativa).
Country of origin: Product of India. Certification: ACO Certified Organic.
Why Santos Organics own-brand
Santos has been sourcing wholefoods for the Northern Rivers since 1978. Our own-brand spice range exists for the staples we wanted to make better, cleaner, and more accessible. Single-origin where possible, certified organic, and packed in sizes that suit how people actually cook. As a not-for-profit social enterprise, every purchase supports our work in community food systems, environmental advocacy, and the Grow the Growers project.
Santos Organics is not your average grocery store; it's a not-for-profit social enterprise and environmental charity. Since 1978, we've pioneered the organic wholefood movement. Our stores serve as community hubs where people connect with our team and fellow community members, sharing a journey toward optimal health and wellness. The palpable sense of community forms part of the social and cultural fabric of the Byron Shire and Northern Rivers. Employing over 70 passionate locals, we support hundreds of local farmers, makers, and artisans, promoting the local economy, building community resilience, and strengthening the local food system. Approximately 75% of the food on our shelves is locally grown, produced, or supplied, nurturing interconnectedness and supporting those passionate about clean, wholesome food and sustainable living.
Santos Organics makes conscious shopping easy by sourcing the best organic food and natural lifestyle products. We invest in ethics research through a dedicated Ethics Specialist position, ensuring our products meet rigorous standards before reaching our shelves. Our Care Check process aligns products with our social impact and environmental goals, providing customers with confidence in their purchases. Our commitment to ethical product procurement extends to partnerships with local farmers through initiatives like the Grow the Growers Project. This project helps local farmers establish pathways to the organic retail market, making fresh, locally grown organic food more available and affordable. By incorporating supply agreements and mutual marketing support, we foster connections between customers and the farmers behind their food.
Santos Organics significantly impacts the local community and economy. Over the last three years, our investments in local employment, goods from local suppliers and distributors, rent, and hiring local tradespeople have retained over $26 million within the Northern Rivers. In the past year alone, $5.3 million was circulated back into the local economy through these efforts, supporting over 100 Northern Rivers-based suppliers and distributors. This investment sustains our community's vitality and unique culture. Employing over 70 local team members ensures money stays within the local economy, enhancing opportunities for community interaction and support. Our local suppliers share our vision of promoting creative, sustainable, and healthy product development, strengthening the reputation of the Byron Bay region as a hub for innovation and sustainability.
