# Why did someone put kalonji seeds in my luggage? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 1, 2024, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-someone-put-kalonji-seeds-in-my-luggage/996940 "2024-02-01T04:31:02Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-someone-put-kalonji-seeds-in-my-luggage/996940/1 "2024-02-01T04:31:02Z")
I traveled to Nepal this week, and for some reason my suitcase took a detour through Manila and Seoul. When I finally retrieved it yesterday and unpacked, I found two packages of [kalonji seeds](https://www.amazon.com/TAJ-Premium-Kalonji-Nigella-3-5-Ounce/dp/B086KX84JD) in my bag. They were all the way at the bottom, so someone lifted all my clothes to put them in there. The obvious question is why? My two wild guesses: - maybe they smell like some illegal drug and airport security was testing their drug-sniffing dogs. This seems highly unlikely. - something in my bag looked odd on the x-ray, so security opened it up to take a look. These packages were in some other bag that was also being inspected, and the contents got mixed up when the bags were repacked. This seems more likely but is also a very boring explanation. Does anyone have a better (or worse) explanation? ---
**Author:** ![EddyTeddyFreddy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eddyteddyfreddy/32/18796_2.png) [@EddyTeddyFreddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EddyTeddyFreddy)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-someone-put-kalonji-seeds-in-my-luggage/996940/2 "2024-02-01T04:42:01Z")
Maybe someone was experimenting with a prototype transporter device. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-someone-put-kalonji-seeds-in-my-luggage/996940/3 "2024-02-01T05:45:05Z")
Are you missing any belongings that _should_ have been present? ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-someone-put-kalonji-seeds-in-my-luggage/996940/4 "2024-02-01T07:28:58Z")
> [@EddyTeddyFreddy](#): > > Maybe someone was experimenting with a prototype transporter device. So you’re thinking that what looks like kajonji seeds is really incinerated redshirts? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-someone-put-kalonji-seeds-in-my-luggage/996940/5 "2024-02-01T07:33:00Z")
Perfect answer, if contacted by authorities; What are kalonji seeds? Cause I don’t know. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 7:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-someone-put-kalonji-seeds-in-my-luggage/996940/6 "2024-02-01T07:33:22Z")
You bought the kalonji seeds and forgot that you did. BTW, they are delicious. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-someone-put-kalonji-seeds-in-my-luggage/996940/7 "2024-02-01T07:35:26Z")
Ok. I just looked them up. Have you visited a doctor on your trip? Any diagnosis? ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 8:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-someone-put-kalonji-seeds-in-my-luggage/996940/8 "2024-02-01T08:54:39Z")
Maybe someone got the wrong idea from the _sativa_ part in nigella’s binomen? ---
**Author:** ![scudsucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scudsucker/32/14101_2.png) [@scudsucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scudsucker)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 9:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-someone-put-kalonji-seeds-in-my-luggage/996940/9 "2024-02-01T09:40:41Z")
My view is that “when life gives you kalonji seeds, make [aloo](https://www.thebigsweettooth.com/kalonji-aloo-potatoes-with-nigella-seeds/)” ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-someone-put-kalonji-seeds-in-my-luggage/996940/10 "2024-02-01T16:52:33Z")
When life gives you seeds, [grow them](https://www.fruitionseeds.com/shop/herbs/blackcumin/organic-black-cumin-nigella/). I’m reminded of my foreign seed escapade from many years ago. I bought a few packets of seed in England at the Chelsea Flower Show to bring back home. One of them was of an ornamental poppy (Papaver somniferum) that I thought might raise eyebrows going through customs, so I discarded the paper packet and put the seeds into another packet containing [lupin](https://www.swallowtailgardenseeds.com/perennials/lupine.html) seeds. The customs guy looked at me funny anyway. “Lupins??” he said, doubtfully. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-someone-put-kalonji-seeds-in-my-luggage/996940/11 "2024-02-01T17:06:25Z")
Did you ever see the movie _Wait Until Dark?_ ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-someone-put-kalonji-seeds-in-my-luggage/996940/12 "2024-02-01T17:21:30Z")
Have you checked other message boards for a “Why did the kalonji seeds in my luggage disappear?” thread? ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-someone-put-kalonji-seeds-in-my-luggage/996940/13 "2024-02-01T17:29:07Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > “Why did the kalonji seeds in my luggage disappear?” “And why did I get a pair of worn, smelly socks instead?” ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-someone-put-kalonji-seeds-in-my-luggage/996940/14 "2024-02-01T17:35:02Z")
While in Saint Martin a few weeks ago, we visited ParrotVille as we always do. It’s a big screen building with various parrot species flying free. When you enter the place they give you a cup on a stick, filled with seeds. Birds land on your cup to eat seeds, creating photo ops. There are quail and other ground birds that tidy up spilled seed, but there is still a sign that says, “Please do not spill your seed upon the ground”. I always chat with the guy who owns the place. This year I asked him about the new sign. He laughed, yes he was making a biblical joke. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-someone-put-kalonji-seeds-in-my-luggage/996940/15 "2024-02-01T19:21:00Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > This year I asked him about the new sign. Did you ask him about The Meaning Of Life? ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-someone-put-kalonji-seeds-in-my-luggage/996940/16 "2024-02-01T19:24:48Z")
I should have. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-someone-put-kalonji-seeds-in-my-luggage/996940/17 "2024-02-01T19:29:10Z")
Flying free. Sticks filled with seeds. Photo ops. I don’t think you were where you thought you were. ---
**Author:** ![Pardel-Lux](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pardel-lux/32/20182_2.png) [@Pardel-Lux](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pardel-Lux)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 7:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-someone-put-kalonji-seeds-in-my-luggage/996940/18 "2024-02-01T19:40:13Z")
_You_ have them?!?!? Well, I never! ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2024, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-someone-put-kalonji-seeds-in-my-luggage/996940/19 "2024-02-01T20:54:05Z")
You have been chosen. Go, Seedbearer, and fulfill your destiny! ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2024, 9:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-someone-put-kalonji-seeds-in-my-luggage/996940/20 "2024-02-02T09:42:32Z")
I appreciate all the speculation. Another question: you find unknown kalonji seeds in your suitcase. They are in unopened, commercially produced bags. Do you eat them? My gut reaction is no way. But then…maybe they were put there for a reason. Maybe this is my superhero origin story. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-did-someone-put-kalonji-seeds-in-my-luggage/996940.md?page=2)