Cumin seeds are harvested by hand from an annual plant;
they are small, boat-shaped, and resemble caraway seeds. The most common
variety of cumin is a brownish-yellow color, although you can also sometimes
find black cumin, green cumin, and white cumin. You will find whole seeds in
Indian recipes (also called jeera) and
ground cumin as an ingredient in Mexican and Middle Eastern dishes, as
well as chili, barbecue sauce, baked beans, soups, and
marinades. Cumin is a typical ingredient in chili powder and is also
often found in other spice blends such as garam masala, curry powder,
achiote blends, adobos, berbere, and bahaarat.
Origins
Cumin is an ancient spice grown in Egypt and the Middle
East. It has been found in 4,000-year-old excavations in Syria and in ancient
Egypt, where it was used both as a spice and as an element in preserving
mummies. It appears in the Bible in both the Old Testament and the New
Testament.
Since ancient times, cumin has been used extensively in
India as well as by the Greeks and Romans. It made its way into Mexican and
South American cuisine after European colonization, brought by the Spanish and
Portuguese.
Cumin Powder or
ground cumin (also known as Jeera Powder) is made by powdering dry roasted
cumin seeds in a grinder. This homemade powder might appear ordinary but it has
the magical powers to completely change the taste of a drink or a dish. Here is
how to make it at home.