Cumin is the second most popular spice after black pepper, and it has been used to season food since before the time of Jesus. In fact, cumin seeds have been found at archaeological sites that date back to 2000 BC. Ancient Greeks and Romans used cumin for medicinal purposes and as a form of makeup to produce white-hued skin. In the Middle Ages cumin became almost nonexistent in Europe but enjoyed a resurgence in later years. The Spaniards and Portuguese brought cumin with them when they sailed to the New World, introducing it to the natives in North America.

Cumin Grows in Hot Regions

Cumin comes from the dried seed of a plant called Cuminum cyminum and is a relative of parsley.  Its seeds are harvested in hot climates which make it perfect for cultivation in the Mediterranean region, Iran, Turkey, and Egypt along with Mexico and Chile. The seeds are used whole or they can be ground up. Cumin is used in many different cuisines including: Indian, Middle Eastern, Mexican, Chinese, and Brazilian. The French use it in some of their breads and the Dutch include it in Leyden cheese. Cumin adds heat to spicy Mexican dishes like enchiladas and is a main ingredient in curry powder. It is added to wood so that when burned, the combination creates a smoky taste to cheese and meat.

A Strong Taste with Beneficial Properties

The cumin seeds have a strong, warm scent to them. In terms of flavor, cumin tends to be sharp and bitter with a hot taste. The seeds resemble caraway seeds but they are straighter with a much coarser taste and smell. Cumin is not to be confused with sweet cumin, which is anise, or black cumin. These are all different herbs. It is best to use small amounts of cumin in seasoning foods because it can overwhelm other flavors. The ground version tends to be spicier than the whole seeds.

As a health benefit, cumin is used to treat stomach issues like diarrhea and flatulence. It has also been found to reduce morning sickness in pregnant women and indigestion. Cumin is effective as an antispasmodic and is used to treat carpal tunnel syndrome. When tested on animals, cumin seems to have anti-cancer effects and lowers levels of glucose in the blood.

Add Heat and Flavor

Whether you are cooking up some traditional Mexican dishes or Indian entrees, cumin is a great ingredient to add zip and taste to those foods without loading them with calories. It makes a nice complement to citrusy marinades for chicken or pork, but it can also be added to barbecue sauce for beef to bring up the heat a bit. Another delightful way is to add the spice to bread or cornbread batter. Include cumin when making refried beans or tamales.

Final Thought

An easy way to experience the spiciness of cumin is to make your own seasonings at home and keep them in airtight jars or bottles with snap-on lids for convenience. You can make a jar of low-cost chicken seasoning with salt, garlic powder, ground cumin and other spices for a fraction of what you’d pay in the supermarket. This is just one simple way to experience the ancient taste of cumin in your own kitchen.