Cumin Seeds

Name: Cumin seeds (Cuminum cyminum) — the small, boat-shaped, yellow-brown dried fruits of a plant in the parsley family. They are often mistaken for caraway and fennel, and have a warm, earthy, slightly bitter flavour.

Description

Cumin is native to the Middle East and the eastern Mediterranean and has been used for thousands of years, with seeds found in ancient Egyptian sites. It became a staple of Indian, Middle Eastern, North African, Mexican and Latin American cooking, and is one of the most widely used spices in the world, with India as the largest producer.

Cumin is a key ingredient in curry powders, garam masala, chilli, falafel, and spice blends such as ras el hanout. It is usually toasted whole and then ground, which brings out a rich, nutty aroma.

Main nutrition value

Cumin seeds provide iron, manganese, calcium and plant antioxidants, but as a spice they are used in small amounts so contribute modestly to nutrition.

How best to be consumed

Cumin is used in small amounts, whole or ground.

1. Toast whole seeds in a dry pan until fragrant, then use whole or grind them.
2. Fry in hot oil at the start of cooking (tempering), as in Indian dals and curries.
3. Add to chilli, stews, soups, rice and roasted vegetables.
4. Stir ground cumin into yoghurt, dips and marinades.
5. Brew in hot water as a traditional digestive drink.

Overconsumption could cause…

Cumin is safe in cooking amounts, and the main points apply to supplements.

1. Heartburn or stomach upset in some people from a lot of cumin.
2. Possible effects on blood sugar in concentrated supplements, so ask a doctor if taking diabetes medicines.
3. Allergic reactions in people allergic to related plants such as celery, carrot or fennel.
4. A possible interaction with some medicines at high supplement doses.

GroupsSeedsCarrot and parsley family (Apiaceae)High fibreRich in calciumRich in ironRich in magnesiumRich in potassiumRich in zinc

Related foodsFennel SeedsCaraway SeedsChia SeedsPoppy SeedsFlaxseeds / LinseedsHemp Seeds

Wikipedia — Cumin, used for origin, naming and history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumin