Hindi Name: Sowa / Suva 

Botanical name: Anethum graveoluns L 

Family name: Apiaceae 

Commercial part: Fruit

There are a number of versions related to the name "dill ". In most part of the world it is thought that the word dill is associated to the Old Norse dilla that means "calm", "soothe" as it was used to relieve babies from stomach pain due to its anti flatulent power. The genus name Anethum is derived from Greek áneeson or áneeton, which means "strongly smelling".

Dill is an annual winter crop that requires well-drained sandy soil and complete sunlight for proper growth and belongs to the parsley family. Sub tropical and temperate regions of India, particularly northern parts, produce high quality dill. 

The sweet taste of dill has made it popular all over Europe, Western, Central and Southern Asia. In Europe it is mostly used for bread, vegetable, pickles and fish. Among the components of sour vinegar also dill is an essential ingredient. 

In the Scandinavian countries dill is a kind of national spice and the fish dishes are usually either directly flavored with dill or served together with sauces containing dill. In Germany the fish soups and stews also have the flavor of dill. In India, however, dill is common to flavor for lentils and bean dishes. Indian dill finds extensive use in foods, beverages and medicines and its essential oil constitutes an important flavoring for the pickles industry. 
India exports dill to USA, the UK, Canada and Japan.