Cumin is a warm-weather loving plant native to Egypt used for its seeds. The seeds have a deep earthy aroma and impart many Indian and North African dishes their characteristic savoury note. They can be used whole or ground, raw or dry-roasted in a pan. Toasting cumin seeds brings about a change in their flavour from earthy to nutty. Cumin seeds are used in myriad spice blends from curry to baharat, harissa, ras el hanout and more.
Cumin seeds have herbal properties of carminative, digestive, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory and nervine. In Ayurveda, cumin seeds are considered cooling and calming. Coriander, cumin, and fennel seeds are often used together in tea to address pitta imbalances.
« Back to Glossary Index
