Dill seed oil is steam distilled from the crushed dried fruits, whereas dill weed oil is steam distilled from the complete herb, including the unripened fruits. The two oils differ in composition, therefore in odor and flavor.
The unripe fruits and the leafy tops are the source of what is termed dill weed oil. This is steam-distilled for flavoring and seasoning purposes in the food industry for such products as pickles, condiments, meat reparations, potato chips, sauces, dips, chewing gums and candy. Dill weed oil made from the herb at the immature fruiting stage has largely replaced both dill leaf and dill seed oil in commercial food usage.
Dill seed oil
However, some ripe seeds are distilled for dill seed oil, which is used in perfumery and soap-making. Oleoresin from dill seed oil is used in infusions, tinctures and fluid extracts, which are of limited commercial importance.
The oil is a very mobile liquid, almost colorless to very pale yellow when fresh, becoming darker with age. The odor is light, pleasant, fresh but hot, strong spicy, resembling caraway, with warm, sweet, aromatic but more burning, camphorish taste than herb oil, and is placed in the caraway group.
What are the differences between dill weed oil and dill seed oil?
