Cumin is a flowering plant in the family Apiaceae, native to a territory including the Middle East and stretching east to India. Its seeds – each one contained within a fruit, which is dried – are used in the cuisines of many cultures in both whole and ground form.
Cumin can be used both as the whole seed or ground. Cumin seed benefits from toasting before use to being out its aromatic, nutty flavor. Cumin is a staple ingredient in most curry powders and many spice blends. It's reserved primarily for savory recipes, like chili, stews, meat, fish, and vegetables.
- Cumin has a warm, earthy flavor and aroma with a bit of both sweetness and bitterness.
- The strong, earthy, slightly spicy flavor of cumin is available either freshly ground or as whole seeds.
- The whole seeds need to be toasted in order to reach the optimum flavor
