Nigella is a genus of about 14 species of annual plants in the family Ranunculaceae, native to southern Europe, North Africa, south and southwest Asia. Used as a spice in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines. The dry-roasted nigella seeds flavour curries, vegetables and pulses. The black seeds taste like a combination of onions, black pepper and oregano, and have a bitterness to them like mustard seeds. It can be used as a pepper