This passage is describing the caraway plant, which is believed to have originated in the Orient and has been used as a spice for thousands of years. The seeds of the caraway plant have a distinct, pungent, and aromatic flavor that is similar to cumin. Caraway seeds are commonly used to flavor a variety of foods, including cakes, rolls, bread, cheese, pickles, cabbage, sauerkraut, and the liqueur Kimmel. The essential oil extracted from caraway seeds is used in medicines, wines, and condiments. In some parts of Europe, the root of the caraway plant is cooked and eaten as a vegetable.