Cumin Seeds

Common Names: Jeera, Cumin Seeds, Safavid jeera
Botanical Name: Cuminum cyminum L.

Cumin is the second most popular spice in the world after black pepper. Cumin seeds are used as a spice for their distinctive aroma. Cumin is most commonly used to flavour food and is widely available in both seed and powder form.

The aromatic seed like fruit is elongated, ovoid, 3 to 6 mm long, slightly bitter and has a warm flavour. The flowers are white or rose coloured in small umbels. Cumin seeds have an aromatic odour and bitter taste. It is used as a condiment and is an ingredient in curry powders, seasonings of bread, cakes and cheese.
In medicine, it is used as a stimulant, carminative, stomachic and astringent.
Cumin seed oil is used in perfumery and for flavouring liqueurs and cordials