🌱 Seed Vocab
The word seed appears in many different kinds of food English. Some seeds are sprinkled over bread or yogurt, some are ground into spices, some swell in liquid, and others are simply the seeds found inside fruit. A few names are especially easy to confuse: caraway and cumin look similar, chia and basil seeds both form a gel, and pepitas are a familiar type of pumpkin seed. Learning these words will help you understand recipes, grocery labels, spice jars, menus, and everyday food conversations.
🥣 Breakfast & Snack Seeds
⚫ Chia Seeds
tiny seeds that absorb liquid and develop a gel-like coating
Example: She soaked chia seeds in milk overnight to make chia pudding.
🇫🇷 French: Graines de chia
🇩🇪 German: Chiasamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di chia
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de chia
💡 Nuance: To soak means to leave food in liquid for a period of time. Chia seeds swell and become gel-like; basil seeds behave in a similar way.
tiny seeds that absorb liquid and develop a gel-like coating
Example: She soaked chia seeds in milk overnight to make chia pudding.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Semillas de chía🇫🇷 French: Graines de chia
🇩🇪 German: Chiasamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di chia
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de chia
💡 Nuance: To soak means to leave food in liquid for a period of time. Chia seeds swell and become gel-like; basil seeds behave in a similar way.
🟤 Flax Seeds
small brown or golden seeds that are often eaten ground
Example: I added ground flax seeds to my oatmeal.
🇫🇷 French: Graines de lin
🇩🇪 German: Leinsamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di lino
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de linhaça
💡 Nuance: Flax seeds are also called linseed. Food labels may say whole flax, ground flax, or flax meal, so recognizing the word ground is useful.
small brown or golden seeds that are often eaten ground
Example: I added ground flax seeds to my oatmeal.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Semillas de lino🇫🇷 French: Graines de lin
🇩🇪 German: Leinsamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di lino
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de linhaça
💡 Nuance: Flax seeds are also called linseed. Food labels may say whole flax, ground flax, or flax meal, so recognizing the word ground is useful.
⚪ Sesame Seeds
small oil-rich seeds that may be white, tan, or black
Example: The baker sprinkled sesame seeds over the top of the bun.
🇫🇷 French: Graines de sésame
🇩🇪 German: Sesamsamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di sesamo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de sésamo
💡 Nuance: Tahini is the paste made from sesame seeds. Black sesame is still sesame, while poppy seeds are a different, smaller seed.
small oil-rich seeds that may be white, tan, or black
Example: The baker sprinkled sesame seeds over the top of the bun.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Semillas de sésamo🇫🇷 French: Graines de sésame
🇩🇪 German: Sesamsamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di sesamo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de sésamo
💡 Nuance: Tahini is the paste made from sesame seeds. Black sesame is still sesame, while poppy seeds are a different, smaller seed.
🌻 Sunflower Seeds
edible seeds from sunflowers, often eaten roasted or added to food
Example: He ate roasted sunflower seeds while watching the game.
🇫🇷 French: Graines de tournesol
🇩🇪 German: Sonnenblumenkerne
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di girasole
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de girassol
💡 Nuance: A kernel is the edible inner part after the shell or hull has been removed. Sunflower kernels are commonly added to salads, breads, and snack mixes.
edible seeds from sunflowers, often eaten roasted or added to food
Example: He ate roasted sunflower seeds while watching the game.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Pipas / semillas de girasol🇫🇷 French: Graines de tournesol
🇩🇪 German: Sonnenblumenkerne
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di girasole
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de girassol
💡 Nuance: A kernel is the edible inner part after the shell or hull has been removed. Sunflower kernels are commonly added to salads, breads, and snack mixes.
🎃 Pumpkin Seeds
flat edible seeds from pumpkins, often green when hulled
Example: She scattered toasted pumpkin seeds over the salad.
🇫🇷 French: Graines de courge
🇩🇪 German: Kürbiskerne
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di zucca
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de abóbora
💡 Nuance: Pepitas usually refers to the green hulled form commonly sold as a snack or topping. Hulled means that the outer shell has been removed.
flat edible seeds from pumpkins, often green when hulled
Example: She scattered toasted pumpkin seeds over the salad.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Pepitas / semillas de calabaza🇫🇷 French: Graines de courge
🇩🇪 German: Kürbiskerne
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di zucca
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de abóbora
💡 Nuance: Pepitas usually refers to the green hulled form commonly sold as a snack or topping. Hulled means that the outer shell has been removed.
🌿 Hemp Seeds
soft seeds with a mild, nutty flavor
Example: She sprinkled hulled hemp seeds over her yogurt.
🇫🇷 French: Graines de chanvre
🇩🇪 German: Hanfsamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di canapa
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de cânhamo
💡 Nuance: Hemp seeds are often described as nutty, meaning they have a flavor reminiscent of nuts. Unlike chia or basil seeds, they do not form a gel in liquid.
soft seeds with a mild, nutty flavor
Example: She sprinkled hulled hemp seeds over her yogurt.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Semillas de cáñamo🇫🇷 French: Graines de chanvre
🇩🇪 German: Hanfsamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di canapa
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de cânhamo
💡 Nuance: Hemp seeds are often described as nutty, meaning they have a flavor reminiscent of nuts. Unlike chia or basil seeds, they do not form a gel in liquid.
🔵 Poppy Seeds
tiny blue-gray seeds used in breads, pastries, and fillings
Example: I ordered a poppy-seed bagel with cream cheese.
🇫🇷 French: Graines de pavot
🇩🇪 German: Mohnsamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di papavero
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de papoila
💡 Nuance: The hyphenated form poppy-seed may appear before another noun, as in poppy-seed bagel or poppy-seed filling.
tiny blue-gray seeds used in breads, pastries, and fillings
Example: I ordered a poppy-seed bagel with cream cheese.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Semillas de amapola🇫🇷 French: Graines de pavot
🇩🇪 German: Mohnsamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di papavero
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de papoila
💡 Nuance: The hyphenated form poppy-seed may appear before another noun, as in poppy-seed bagel or poppy-seed filling.
🌶️ Spice-Jar Seeds
🟡 Mustard Seeds
small round seeds used whole or ground as a spice
Example: The cook added mustard seeds to the hot oil at the beginning of the dish.
🇫🇷 French: Graines de moutarde
🇩🇪 German: Senfkörner
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di senape
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de mostarda
💡 Nuance: Mustard can refer to the whole seeds, the ground spice, or the prepared condiment. Context tells you which form is meant.
small round seeds used whole or ground as a spice
Example: The cook added mustard seeds to the hot oil at the beginning of the dish.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Semillas de mostaza🇫🇷 French: Graines de moutarde
🇩🇪 German: Senfkörner
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di senape
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de mostarda
💡 Nuance: Mustard can refer to the whole seeds, the ground spice, or the prepared condiment. Context tells you which form is meant.
🌿 Fennel Seeds
green-brown aromatic seeds with a mild licorice-like flavor
Example: Fennel seeds gave the sausage a slightly sweet, aromatic flavor.
🇫🇷 French: Graines de fenouil
🇩🇪 German: Fenchelsamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di finocchio
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de funcho
💡 Nuance: Fennel and anise share a licorice-like flavor, but fennel is usually described as milder. Do not confuse fennel seeds with the fresh fennel bulb.
green-brown aromatic seeds with a mild licorice-like flavor
Example: Fennel seeds gave the sausage a slightly sweet, aromatic flavor.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Semillas de hinojo🇫🇷 French: Graines de fenouil
🇩🇪 German: Fenchelsamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di finocchio
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de funcho
💡 Nuance: Fennel and anise share a licorice-like flavor, but fennel is usually described as milder. Do not confuse fennel seeds with the fresh fennel bulb.
🍞 Caraway Seeds
curved brown aromatic seeds strongly associated with rye bread
Example: The rye bread had caraway seeds baked into it.
🇫🇷 French: Carvi
🇩🇪 German: Kümmel
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di carvi
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Alcaravia
💡 Nuance: Caraway and cumin can look similar. A useful memory link is caraway → rye bread, while cumin is associated with a warmer, earthier spice profile.
curved brown aromatic seeds strongly associated with rye bread
Example: The rye bread had caraway seeds baked into it.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Alcaravea🇫🇷 French: Carvi
🇩🇪 German: Kümmel
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di carvi
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Alcaravia
💡 Nuance: Caraway and cumin can look similar. A useful memory link is caraway → rye bread, while cumin is associated with a warmer, earthier spice profile.
🟤 Cumin Seeds
warm, earthy aromatic seeds used in many spice blends
Example: She toasted cumin seeds before adding the other ingredients.
🇫🇷 French: Cumin
🇩🇪 German: Kreuzkümmel
🇮🇹 Italian: Cumino
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Cominhos
💡 Nuance: Cumin seeds and ground cumin are the same spice in different forms. To toast spices means to heat them briefly to bring out their aroma.
warm, earthy aromatic seeds used in many spice blends
Example: She toasted cumin seeds before adding the other ingredients.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Comino🇫🇷 French: Cumin
🇩🇪 German: Kreuzkümmel
🇮🇹 Italian: Cumino
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Cominhos
💡 Nuance: Cumin seeds and ground cumin are the same spice in different forms. To toast spices means to heat them briefly to bring out their aroma.
🟡 Coriander Seeds
round aromatic seeds from the same plant that produces cilantro leaves
Example: The recipe called for crushed coriander seeds in the pickling liquid.
🇫🇷 French: Graines de coriandre
🇩🇪 German: Koriandersamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di coriandolo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de coentro
💡 Nuance: In American English, cilantro usually refers to the fresh leaves, while coriander seeds refers to the dried spice. Same plant, different ingredient.
round aromatic seeds from the same plant that produces cilantro leaves
Example: The recipe called for crushed coriander seeds in the pickling liquid.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Semillas de cilantro / coriandro🇫🇷 French: Graines de coriandre
🇩🇪 German: Koriandersamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di coriandolo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de coentro
💡 Nuance: In American English, cilantro usually refers to the fresh leaves, while coriander seeds refers to the dried spice. Same plant, different ingredient.
⚫ Nigella Seeds
small black seeds with a peppery, onion-like flavor
Example: The naan was sprinkled with nigella seeds before baking.
🇫🇷 French: Nigelle
🇩🇪 German: Schwarzkümmel
🇮🇹 Italian: Nigella
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Nigela
💡 Nuance: Nigella is also called kalonji. Do not confuse it with black sesame: the two look similar at a glance but have different flavors.
small black seeds with a peppery, onion-like flavor
Example: The naan was sprinkled with nigella seeds before baking.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Semillas de nigella🇫🇷 French: Nigelle
🇩🇪 German: Schwarzkümmel
🇮🇹 Italian: Nigella
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Nigela
💡 Nuance: Nigella is also called kalonji. Do not confuse it with black sesame: the two look similar at a glance but have different flavors.
🥬 Celery Seeds
tiny aromatic seeds with a concentrated celery-like flavor
Example: A little celery seed gave the coleslaw dressing extra flavor.
🇫🇷 French: Graines de céleri
🇩🇪 German: Selleriesamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di sedano
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de aipo
💡 Nuance: Concentrated flavor means a small amount tastes much stronger than the fresh ingredient. Celery seed is used as a seasoning rather than eaten as a snack seed.
tiny aromatic seeds with a concentrated celery-like flavor
Example: A little celery seed gave the coleslaw dressing extra flavor.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Semillas de apio🇫🇷 French: Graines de céleri
🇩🇪 German: Selleriesamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di sedano
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de aipo
💡 Nuance: Concentrated flavor means a small amount tastes much stronger than the fresh ingredient. Celery seed is used as a seasoning rather than eaten as a snack seed.
🥒 Dill Seeds
aromatic seeds commonly associated with pickling
Example: The pickle brine contained dill seeds, garlic, and salt.
🇫🇷 French: Graines d’aneth
🇩🇪 German: Dillsamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di aneto
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de endro
💡 Nuance: Dill seed is different from dill weed, which means the feathery leaves of the plant. Brine is salty liquid used for pickling.
aromatic seeds commonly associated with pickling
Example: The pickle brine contained dill seeds, garlic, and salt.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Semillas de eneldo🇫🇷 French: Graines d’aneth
🇩🇪 German: Dillsamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di aneto
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de endro
💡 Nuance: Dill seed is different from dill weed, which means the feathery leaves of the plant. Brine is salty liquid used for pickling.
🍁 Fenugreek Seeds
hard yellow-brown seeds with a distinctive bitter-sweet aroma
Example: The curry blend contained a small amount of fenugreek seed.
🇫🇷 French: Graines de fenugrec
🇩🇪 German: Bockshornkleesamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di fieno greco
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de feno-grego
💡 Nuance: A little goes a long way is a common English expression meaning that only a small amount is needed because the flavor is strong.
hard yellow-brown seeds with a distinctive bitter-sweet aroma
Example: The curry blend contained a small amount of fenugreek seed.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Semillas de fenogreco🇫🇷 French: Graines de fenugrec
🇩🇪 German: Bockshornkleesamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di fieno greco
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de feno-grego
💡 Nuance: A little goes a long way is a common English expression meaning that only a small amount is needed because the flavor is strong.
🍬 Anise Seeds
small aromatic seeds with a sweet licorice-like flavor
Example: The cookies had a noticeable anise flavor.
🇫🇷 French: Graines d’anis
🇩🇪 German: Anissamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di anice
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de anis
💡 Nuance: Anise seed and star anise have similar flavor associations but are different spices. Star anise is the distinctive star-shaped spice.
small aromatic seeds with a sweet licorice-like flavor
Example: The cookies had a noticeable anise flavor.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Semillas de anís🇫🇷 French: Graines d’anis
🇩🇪 German: Anissamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di anice
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de anis
💡 Nuance: Anise seed and star anise have similar flavor associations but are different spices. Star anise is the distinctive star-shaped spice.
🌱 Herb, Grain & Oil Seeds
🟣 Basil Seeds
tiny dark seeds that swell and form a gel when soaked
Example: Basil seeds floated through the cold falooda drink.
🇫🇷 French: Graines de basilic
🇩🇪 German: Basilikumsamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di basilico
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de manjericão
💡 Nuance: Basil seeds may also appear under names such as sabja or tukmaria. They resemble soaked chia seeds, but they come from a different plant.
tiny dark seeds that swell and form a gel when soaked
Example: Basil seeds floated through the cold falooda drink.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Semillas de albahaca🇫🇷 French: Graines de basilic
🇩🇪 German: Basilikumsamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di basilico
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de manjericão
💡 Nuance: Basil seeds may also appear under names such as sabja or tukmaria. They resemble soaked chia seeds, but they come from a different plant.
🍃 Perilla Seeds
small oil-rich seeds from the perilla plant
Example: Toasted perilla seeds were added to the Korean seasoning mixture.
🇫🇷 French: Graines de périlla
🇩🇪 German: Perillasamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di perilla
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de perilla
💡 Nuance: Perilla may appear as either a seed or a leaf ingredient. The lesson connects the leaf with the name shiso.
small oil-rich seeds from the perilla plant
Example: Toasted perilla seeds were added to the Korean seasoning mixture.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Semillas de perilla🇫🇷 French: Graines de périlla
🇩🇪 German: Perillasamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di perilla
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de perilla
💡 Nuance: Perilla may appear as either a seed or a leaf ingredient. The lesson connects the leaf with the name shiso.
🌱 Garden Cress Seeds
small peppery seeds commonly grown for their young sprouts
Example: We grew garden cress and added the fresh sprouts to egg sandwiches.
🇫🇷 French: Graines de cresson alénois
🇩🇪 German: Kressesamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di crescione
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de agrião-de-jardim
💡 Nuance: Garden cress seeds are often sprouted rather than sprinkled over food as a dry spice. A sprout is a very young plant grown from a germinated seed.
small peppery seeds commonly grown for their young sprouts
Example: We grew garden cress and added the fresh sprouts to egg sandwiches.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Semillas de berro de jardín🇫🇷 French: Graines de cresson alénois
🇩🇪 German: Kressesamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di crescione
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de agrião-de-jardim
💡 Nuance: Garden cress seeds are often sprouted rather than sprinkled over food as a dry spice. A sprout is a very young plant grown from a germinated seed.
🌾 Amaranth Seeds
tiny seeds cooked and eaten in a grain-like way
Example: The snack bar was made with puffed amaranth.
🇫🇷 French: Graines d’amarante
🇩🇪 German: Amaranthsamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di amaranto
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de amaranto
💡 Nuance: Puffed describes a seed or grain expanded by heat. Amaranth behaves more like a tiny grain in cooking, while chia is known for forming a gel.
tiny seeds cooked and eaten in a grain-like way
Example: The snack bar was made with puffed amaranth.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Semillas de amaranto🇫🇷 French: Graines d’amarante
🇩🇪 German: Amaranthsamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di amaranto
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de amaranto
💡 Nuance: Puffed describes a seed or grain expanded by heat. Amaranth behaves more like a tiny grain in cooking, while chia is known for forming a gel.
💚 Sacha Inchi Seeds
oil-rich Amazonian seeds with a mild nutty flavor
Example: Roasted sacha inchi seeds were sold as a specialty snack.
🇫🇷 French: Sacha inchi
🇩🇪 German: Sacha-Inchi-Samen
🇮🇹 Italian: Sacha inchi
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sacha inchi
💡 Nuance: Sacha inchi is sometimes associated with the name Inca peanut, but the lesson distinguishes it from an actual peanut. Unfamiliar food names often contain familiar words that can be misleading.
oil-rich Amazonian seeds with a mild nutty flavor
Example: Roasted sacha inchi seeds were sold as a specialty snack.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Sacha inchi🇫🇷 French: Sacha inchi
🇩🇪 German: Sacha-Inchi-Samen
🇮🇹 Italian: Sacha inchi
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sacha inchi
💡 Nuance: Sacha inchi is sometimes associated with the name Inca peanut, but the lesson distinguishes it from an actual peanut. Unfamiliar food names often contain familiar words that can be misleading.
🍉 Fruit & Garden Seeds
🌸 Lotus Seeds
starchy edible seeds from the lotus plant
Example: Dried lotus seeds were simmered in the soup until tender.
🇫🇷 French: Graines de lotus
🇩🇪 German: Lotossamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di loto
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de lótus
💡 Nuance: Lotus seeds are used as a substantial cooked ingredient rather than a small topping. To simmer means to cook gently in liquid just below a full boil.
starchy edible seeds from the lotus plant
Example: Dried lotus seeds were simmered in the soup until tender.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Semillas de loto🇫🇷 French: Graines de lotus
🇩🇪 German: Lotossamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di loto
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de lótus
💡 Nuance: Lotus seeds are used as a substantial cooked ingredient rather than a small topping. To simmer means to cook gently in liquid just below a full boil.
🍉 Watermelon Seeds
flat seeds from watermelon that may be eaten roasted
Example: The market sold roasted watermelon seeds as a snack.
🇫🇷 French: Graines de pastèque
🇩🇪 German: Wassermelonensamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di anguria
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de melancia
💡 Nuance: Watermelon seeds can be treated as a snack seed in some cuisines. This is different from simply encountering the seeds while eating the fruit.
flat seeds from watermelon that may be eaten roasted
Example: The market sold roasted watermelon seeds as a snack.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Semillas de sandía🇫🇷 French: Graines de pastèque
🇩🇪 German: Wassermelonensamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di anguria
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de melancia
💡 Nuance: Watermelon seeds can be treated as a snack seed in some cuisines. This is different from simply encountering the seeds while eating the fruit.
🧡 Papaya Seeds
small black seeds found inside papaya, with a peppery flavor when crushed
Example: The cook crushed a few papaya seeds into the dressing.
🇫🇷 French: Graines de papaye
🇩🇪 German: Papayasamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di papaya
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de papaia
💡 Nuance: Papaya seeds are normally scooped out of the fruit. To scoop out means to remove something with a spoon or similar utensil.
small black seeds found inside papaya, with a peppery flavor when crushed
Example: The cook crushed a few papaya seeds into the dressing.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Semillas de papaya🇫🇷 French: Graines de papaye
🇩🇪 German: Papayasamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di papaya
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de papaia
💡 Nuance: Papaya seeds are normally scooped out of the fruit. To scoop out means to remove something with a spoon or similar utensil.
❤️ Pomegranate Seeds
the juicy red pieces found inside a pomegranate
Example: She scattered pomegranate seeds over the salad for color and sweetness.
🇫🇷 French: Graines de grenade
🇩🇪 German: Granatapfelkerne
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di melograno
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de romã
💡 Nuance: In everyday cooking English, people commonly say pomegranate seeds for the juicy red pieces. The more precise botanical word mentioned in the lesson is arils.
the juicy red pieces found inside a pomegranate
Example: She scattered pomegranate seeds over the salad for color and sweetness.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Semillas de granada🇫🇷 French: Graines de grenade
🇩🇪 German: Granatapfelkerne
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di melograno
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de romã
💡 Nuance: In everyday cooking English, people commonly say pomegranate seeds for the juicy red pieces. The more precise botanical word mentioned in the lesson is arils.
🍇 Grape Seeds
small, usually bitter seeds found inside some grapes
Example: Grape seeds are pressed to make grape-seed oil.
🇫🇷 French: Pépins de raisin
🇩🇪 German: Traubenkerne
🇮🇹 Italian: Vinaccioli
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de uva
💡 Nuance: Grape seeds are not normally used as a topping like sesame or pumpkin seeds. Their name is more likely to appear in the compound term grape-seed oil.
small, usually bitter seeds found inside some grapes
Example: Grape seeds are pressed to make grape-seed oil.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Semillas de uva🇫🇷 French: Pépins de raisin
🇩🇪 German: Traubenkerne
🇮🇹 Italian: Vinaccioli
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de uva
💡 Nuance: Grape seeds are not normally used as a topping like sesame or pumpkin seeds. Their name is more likely to appear in the compound term grape-seed oil.
🍎 Apple Seeds
small brown seeds found in the core of an apple
Example: She cut around the apple core and removed the seeds.
🇫🇷 French: Pépins de pomme
🇩🇪 German: Apfelkerne
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di mela
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de maçã
💡 Nuance: The core is the firm central part of an apple that contains the seeds. Apple seeds belong to fruit vocabulary rather than pantry-seed vocabulary.
small brown seeds found in the core of an apple
Example: She cut around the apple core and removed the seeds.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Semillas de manzana🇫🇷 French: Pépins de pomme
🇩🇪 German: Apfelkerne
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di mela
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de maçã
💡 Nuance: The core is the firm central part of an apple that contains the seeds. Apple seeds belong to fruit vocabulary rather than pantry-seed vocabulary.
🍈 Cantaloupe Seeds
pale seeds found in the center of a cantaloupe
Example: She scooped the cantaloupe seeds out before slicing the melon.
🇫🇷 French: Graines de cantaloup
🇩🇪 German: Cantaloupe-Samen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di cantalupo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de cantalupo
💡 Nuance: These are normally discarded when preparing the fruit, although the lesson notes that some kitchens roast melon seeds.
pale seeds found in the center of a cantaloupe
Example: She scooped the cantaloupe seeds out before slicing the melon.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Semillas de cantalupo🇫🇷 French: Graines de cantaloup
🇩🇪 German: Cantaloupe-Samen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di cantalupo
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de cantalupo
💡 Nuance: These are normally discarded when preparing the fruit, although the lesson notes that some kitchens roast melon seeds.
🎃 Squash Seeds
edible seeds taken from different kinds of squash
Example: We roasted the seeds after cutting open the butternut squash.
🇫🇷 French: Graines de courge
🇩🇪 German: Kürbissamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di zucca
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de abóbora
💡 Nuance: Squash seeds is the broader category. Pumpkin seeds are a familiar member of that category, and pepitas commonly refers to green hulled pumpkin seeds.
edible seeds taken from different kinds of squash
Example: We roasted the seeds after cutting open the butternut squash.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Semillas de calabaza🇫🇷 French: Graines de courge
🇩🇪 German: Kürbissamen
🇮🇹 Italian: Semi di zucca
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Sementes de abóbora
💡 Nuance: Squash seeds is the broader category. Pumpkin seeds are a familiar member of that category, and pepitas commonly refers to green hulled pumpkin seeds.
🧠 Useful Distinctions
⚫ Chia vs. 🟣 Basil seeds
Both seeds swell and form a gel in liquid. Chia seeds are strongly associated with breakfast foods such as chia pudding, while basil seeds often appear in drinks such as falooda.
Both seeds swell and form a gel in liquid. Chia seeds are strongly associated with breakfast foods such as chia pudding, while basil seeds often appear in drinks such as falooda.
🎃 Pumpkin seeds vs. Squash seeds vs. Pepitas
Squash seeds is the broad category. Pumpkin seeds are the familiar name found on many food packages. Pepitas commonly refers to the green hulled form.
Squash seeds is the broad category. Pumpkin seeds are the familiar name found on many food packages. Pepitas commonly refers to the green hulled form.
🍞 Caraway vs. 🟤 Cumin vs. 🌿 Fennel vs. 🍬 Anise
Caraway is strongly associated with rye bread. Cumin has a warm, earthy flavor. Fennel has a milder licorice-like flavor, while anise has a stronger sweet licorice association. Star anise is a different spice.
Caraway is strongly associated with rye bread. Cumin has a warm, earthy flavor. Fennel has a milder licorice-like flavor, while anise has a stronger sweet licorice association. Star anise is a different spice.
🟡 Coriander seeds vs. Cilantro
They come from the same plant. Coriander seeds are the dried spice, while cilantro usually refers to the fresh leaves in American English.
They come from the same plant. Coriander seeds are the dried spice, while cilantro usually refers to the fresh leaves in American English.
⚫ Nigella vs. ⚪ Black sesame vs. 🔵 Poppy seeds
Nigella has a peppery, onion-like flavor. Black sesame is nuttier. Poppy seeds are usually blue-gray and milder. Their appearance can overlap, but their flavors and uses differ.
Nigella has a peppery, onion-like flavor. Black sesame is nuttier. Poppy seeds are usually blue-gray and milder. Their appearance can overlap, but their flavors and uses differ.
❤️ Pomegranate seeds vs. 🍇 Grape seeds
Pomegranate seeds usually means the juicy red pieces eaten with the fruit. Grape seeds are the harder, bitter seeds found inside some grapes and are also associated with grape-seed oil.
Pomegranate seeds usually means the juicy red pieces eaten with the fruit. Grape seeds are the harder, bitter seeds found inside some grapes and are also associated with grape-seed oil.
🌾 Amaranth vs. ⚫ Chia
Amaranth is cooked in a grain-like way or puffed. Chia is especially known for absorbing liquid and forming a gel.
Amaranth is cooked in a grain-like way or puffed. Chia is especially known for absorbing liquid and forming a gel.
💬 Everyday Seed Phrases
⚫ Chia seeds form a gel, while flax seeds are often eaten ground.
contrasting two common breakfast seeds
🇫🇷 Les graines de chia forment un gel, tandis que les graines de lin sont souvent consommées moulues.
🇩🇪 Chiasamen bilden ein Gel, während Leinsamen oft gemahlen gegessen werden.
🇮🇹 I semi di chia formano un gel, mentre i semi di lino vengono spesso mangiati macinati.
🇵🇹 As sementes de chia formam um gel, enquanto as sementes de linhaça são frequentemente consumidas moídas.
contrasting two common breakfast seeds
Show translations
🇪🇸 Las semillas de chía forman un gel, mientras que las de lino suelen comerse molidas.🇫🇷 Les graines de chia forment un gel, tandis que les graines de lin sont souvent consommées moulues.
🇩🇪 Chiasamen bilden ein Gel, während Leinsamen oft gemahlen gegessen werden.
🇮🇹 I semi di chia formano un gel, mentre i semi di lino vengono spesso mangiati macinati.
🇵🇹 As sementes de chia formam um gel, enquanto as sementes de linhaça são frequentemente consumidas moídas.
🍞 That is caraway, not cumin.
distinguishing two similar-looking spice seeds
🇫🇷 C’est du carvi, pas du cumin.
🇩🇪 Das ist Kümmel, nicht Kreuzkümmel.
🇮🇹 È carvi, non cumino.
🇵🇹 Isso é alcaravia, não cominhos.
distinguishing two similar-looking spice seeds
Show translations
🇪🇸 Eso es alcaravea, no comino.🇫🇷 C’est du carvi, pas du cumin.
🇩🇪 Das ist Kümmel, nicht Kreuzkümmel.
🇮🇹 È carvi, non cumino.
🇵🇹 Isso é alcaravia, não cominhos.
❤️ In everyday English, pomegranate seeds means the juicy red pieces.
everyday food term vs. botanical term
🇫🇷 En anglais courant, pomegranate seeds désigne les morceaux rouges et juteux.
🇩🇪 Im alltäglichen Englisch meint pomegranate seeds die saftigen roten Stücke.
🇮🇹 Nell’inglese quotidiano, pomegranate seeds indica i chicchi rossi e succosi.
🇵🇹 No inglês do dia a dia, pomegranate seeds refere-se aos bagos vermelhos e suculentos.
everyday food term vs. botanical term
Show translations
🇪🇸 En inglés cotidiano, pomegranate seeds se refiere a los granos rojos y jugosos.🇫🇷 En anglais courant, pomegranate seeds désigne les morceaux rouges et juteux.
🇩🇪 Im alltäglichen Englisch meint pomegranate seeds die saftigen roten Stücke.
🇮🇹 Nell’inglese quotidiano, pomegranate seeds indica i chicchi rossi e succosi.
🇵🇹 No inglês do dia a dia, pomegranate seeds refere-se aos bagos vermelhos e suculentos.
🎃 Pepitas are usually green, hulled pumpkin seeds.
recognizing an alternative food label
🇫🇷 Les pepitas sont généralement des graines de courge vertes et décortiquées.
🇩🇪 Pepitas sind normalerweise grüne, geschälte Kürbiskerne.
🇮🇹 Le pepitas sono generalmente semi di zucca verdi e sgusciati.
🇵🇹 Pepitas são geralmente sementes de abóbora verdes e descascadas.
recognizing an alternative food label
Show translations
🇪🇸 Las pepitas suelen ser semillas de calabaza verdes y peladas.🇫🇷 Les pepitas sont généralement des graines de courge vertes et décortiquées.
🇩🇪 Pepitas sind normalerweise grüne, geschälte Kürbiskerne.
🇮🇹 Le pepitas sono generalmente semi di zucca verdi e sgusciati.
🇵🇹 Pepitas são geralmente sementes de abóbora verdes e descascadas.
🏆 Final Practice
English in the Real World:
Imagine you are reading a recipe, looking at a spice jar, preparing fruit, or choosing a breakfast topping. Choose the seed word that best fits each situation.
Imagine you are reading a recipe, looking at a spice jar, preparing fruit, or choosing a breakfast topping. Choose the seed word that best fits each situation.
Question 1 of 8
✅ Correct: 0
❓ Questions: 0
🎯 Accuracy: 0%