What Is Cumin?
Cumin is a spice made from the dried seed of a plant known as Cuminum cyminum, a member of the Apiaceae family alongside its cousin’s parsley, caraway, and fennel. It is also known and sold as Roman caraway or jeera.
The History Of Cumin
Evidence found in Egypt’s pyramids suggests the use of cumin dating back as much as 5000 years ago when ancient Greeks and Romans used cumin as a seasoning along with salt. Through a long history of international trading and the spread of the spice from North Africa to Iran, Indonesia, China, India and Mexico, cumin has become a key ingredient in their local cuisines.
India is now the largest known producer and consumer of cumin with it being famously used in most Indian dishes, particularly in curries. The introduction and popularity of Indian fast food into Western culture has awakened and normalised the use of cumin in many modern-day dishes.
What Does Cumin Taste Like?
Earthy, woody, nutty with a herb-like taste. It can be sharp, zesty, and bitter, similar to fresh parsley or carrot skin. Whole seeds need to be toasted in order to release it’s flavour compounds before grinding down into a powder.
Cooking with Ground Cumin
Normally used alongside other spices or in spice mixes for curries, stews, meat rubs, marinade, soups, pickles, chutneys and baked goods. It is also included in popular spice mixes such as Za’atar, Dukkah and Baharat. Most commonly used in home cooking for Indian curries, Middle Eastern meat dishes and Mexican stews, tortilla fillings and chilli con carne.
Cooking with Cumin Seeds
Whole cumin seeds should be added early on in the recipe so they have time to soften and release their essence. The pre-toasted grounded powder version is slightly stronger and realises flavour instantly. When not following a recipe, it is best to be careful when cooking with cumin as its strong flavor can easily overtake a dish.
What does Cumin taste good with?
Cumin pairs wonderfully with lamb, beef, chicken, pork and venison. Next time you eat a Turkish mezze including charcoaled meats or kebab you should notice the distinct earthy flavour of cumin used as one of the main seasonings. Great vegetable pairings are carrots, cabbage, parsnip, eggplant, onions, peppers, tomatoes, and potatoes. Cumin is also used to spice rice dishes, beans, lentils and other grains such as bulgar wheat or couscous.
What is cumin used for medically?
Cumin contains compounds that are thought to act as antioxidants in the body. Antioxidants can help neutralize unstable particles called ‘free radicals’ that cause cell damage. According to research neutralizing these particles can help prevent diseases like cancer, heart disease, and high blood pressure so regularly including the use of cumin in a good idea.
Recipes using Cumin
Spice Blends
Cumin is a main ingredient in many spice blends laying down the strong robust earthy flavour and acting as the grounding element for other spices to play off. This famous Middle Eastern spice blend, Baharat, can be used in a huge variety of traditional recipes or modern fusion dishes. Recipe here:
Burgers
Cumin and beef are the perfect flavour partners. Adding a pinch of cumin to the beef patty of a burger gives it an earthy woody enhanced flavour. It works especially well in this Beetroot Beef Burger Recipe, doubling up on compatibility with the deep earthy nutty flavour of beetroot:
Curries
Cumin is used as a base element for many multi-layered spice mixes used in curries, normally added at the beginning along with other spices and left to slowly cook down for hours and hours until a rich flavour is developed. Here the blend of spices including cumin works harmoniously in this quick Indian-Moroccan fusion curry recipe:
Minced Beef Or Lamb Meat
Cumin pairs wonderfully with beef and lamb mince as previously mentioned when making burger patties, but here the focus is on Middle Eastern and Mediterranean spiced meatballs, kofta and minced meat-based stews. Try this delicious Moroccan Beef Mince Stew:
Carrots
Since cumin is a member of the carrot family, it’s only natural to use the spice as a rub when roasting carrots, included in carrot soup or used like in this amazingly delicious Harissa-Honey Glazed Roasted Vege. The Charred Green Feta Sauce underneath also contains cumin:
Eggs
Cumin is used in Indian and Turkish egg-based dishes, either ground down and included inside the recipe or toasted alongside coriander seeds, added to the melted butter and drizzled on top as a delicious fragrant garnish. For an easy introduction to cumin and eggs, try these Scrambled Tomato Feta Dill Eggs
What is cumin commonly used in?
More Recipes Using Cumin
Spinach and Roasted Tomato Dahl
In this recipe of Spinach and Roasted Tomato Dahl, roasted tomatoes and zingy lemon juice give the lentils a juicy and fresh Mediterranean touch. Serve with rice or homemade flatbreads.
Recipe: Spinach and Roasted Tomato Dahl
Garam Masala Roasted Chicken
Garam Masala Roasted Chicken is the Ultimate Chicken Recipe. Crispy skin crusted with flavoursome garam masala and fenugreek spice, soft juicy chicken flesh drowned in a chicken-fat-roasted-tomato-and-onion sauce and served with a light refreshing coriander yoghurt.
Recipe: Garam Masala Roasted Chicken
Spinach Aloo Methi
Aloo Methi is an Indian potato dish that uses fenugreek leaves as the main point of flavour along with other spices of cumin, turmeric and green chilli. Some recipes use fresh fenugreek leaves, however, dried fenugreek leaves are easier to buy and can be kept for longer in your kitchen cupboard for further recipes.
Recipe: Spinach Aloo Methi
Curried Leek and Potato Soup
Hearty winter soup perfect for nights when you need warming up. I’ve added some Indian spices and green chilli to a traditional potato and leek soup to give it a little more fire. Recipe: Curried Potato and Leek Soup
Where to source ingredients:
Spices can be purchased online: UK: Spice of India USA: Desi Basket
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