Cumin, additionally spelled cummin, is a spice that comes from a herbaceous plant Cuminum cyminum. This annual herb, which is native to the Mediterranean area, is a member of the Apiaceae or Umbelliferae, parsley household. The leaves are so finely dissected that particular person lobes are needle-like. White or pinkish flowers are held in umbels the place flattened teams of seeds will develop in August to September after pollination by bugs.
The same seasoning is named black cumin or fennel flower, which comes from a European herb referred to as Nigella sativa, a member of the buttercup household, Ranunculaceae.
Cumin is cultivated in scorching locations like India, China and Mexico. Its fruit will not develop correctly outdoors of tropical areas. The fruits of the Cuminum cyminum plant are so small that they’re referred to as seeds, measuring about ¼ inch lengthy. The skinny, oval-shaped seeds have 5 longitudinal ridges interrupted with secondary ridges giving them a cross-hatch look. Cumin seed could also be referred to as comino seeds.
Cumin’s aroma and taste are sturdy, pungent, spicy and sharp. In cooking the seeds are the one a part of the cumin plant that’s used. Seeds will be bought complete or floor. It is tough to grind them utterly with a mortar and pestle. A spice mill or espresso grinder will do a greater job.
For the very best taste buy small portions of the powder because the aroma fades in a number of months. When utilizing the entire seeds, toast them evenly in a dry pan to deliver out their taste. Grinding the toasted seeds simply earlier than utilizing can have higher, fuller aroma than commercially ready floor cumin. Seeds will preserve indefinitely in a cool, dry darkish place.
The sweetness of cumin is used to steadiness the spiciness of different elements in spice mixtures that give taste to curries, chutneys and chili. Asian, Indian, North African, and Latin cuisines appear to make use of cumin essentially the most. Meals that use cumin embrace soups, stews, meat dishes, vegetable dishes, cheeses, pickles and preserves.
Cumin seed accommodates 2.5 to 4.5% important oil, which consists principally of cumaldehyde. Cumin oil is used to taste liquor, within the fragrance trade, and for medicinal functions. Medicinal use is folklore for essentially the most half as its carminative properties are used right now in veterinary medication. Different higher tasting herbs can be utilized to masks the flavour of medicines.
Utilized in biblical instances as an antiseptic, cumin was cultivated by historical Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. A cumin tonic might have antibacterial and antiseptic properties, and act as a digestive support.
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