John Myers
Cumin – as cumin is also called – has the name and appearance in common with our native caraway. The two spices differ greatly in taste. In this product information you can read how you use cumin and what you should pay attention to when buying and storing it.
Interesting facts about cumin
The aroma of cumin can best be described as slightly spicy and fresh at the same time. Indian recipes such as chicken tikka masala or the Arabic snack falafel would be unthinkable without the spice. Oriental cuisine has known cumin for thousands of years and ascribes a healing effect to the dried fruits of the umbelliferae. In folk medicine, cumin is said to alleviate gastrointestinal complaints, among other things – it has this area of application in common with real cumin, which makes many dishes such as cabbage dishes more digestible, especially in Germany. Cumin is also particularly popular in chili con carne – here it provides the typical strong, spicy taste and supports the hot note of the chili.
Purchasing and storage
Like many spices, cumin is also a component of spice mixtures. The Indian garam masala and curry powder are particularly worth mentioning here. On its own, the spice aisle gives you a choice of whole and ground cumin. Because the flavor-giving powdered essential oils evaporate quickly, connoisseurs prefer whole cumin seeds, grinding or crushing the seeds fresh as needed. Either way, you should always keep cumin dry and protected from light in a tightly sealable container. It is best to refill loose goods in transparent bags.
Kitchen tips for cumin
The full aroma of the spice, also known as Roman caraway, unfolds when you briefly roast the seeds in a pan without oil. Be careful with the temperature, though, and pull the pan off the heat as soon as the cumin begins to smell. The list of recipes that use cumin is long. It ranges from exotic dishes like foul – Egyptian beans – to aubergine puree. The taste goes well with meat, fish, and seafood: try the spice when grilling and prepare turkey breast with an oriental grill marinade, for example. In addition, curries, couscous, stews, and dips can be seasoned wonderfully with cumin.
Why is cumin not good for you?
Cumin might slow blood clotting, which might make bleeding disorders worse. Surgery: Cumin might lower blood sugar levels and slow blood clotting. It might interfere with blood sugar control and make bleeding worse during and after surgery. Stop using cumin at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
What is the cumin used for?
Ground cumin is a quintessential spice in a variety of curries, marinades, soups, and a few spice blends, including curry powder, garam masala and taco seasoning. I use this versatile spice to flavor meat and vegetable dishes, as well as soups and stews.
Is cumin and Jeera the same?
Also commonly known by its Indian name, Jeera, cumin is traditionally added to curries, Mexican & Moroccan dishes, among many others. It is an essential part of many spice blends (such as garam masala), either whole or ground.
What kind of spice is cumin?
Cumin is a spice made from the dried seed of a plant known as Cuminum cyminum, which is a member of the parsley family. Cumin is one of the most popular spices and is commonly used in Latin American, Middle Eastern, North African, and Indian cuisines, among many others.
What foods do you put cumin in?
Cumin is an essential spice for Indian curries and chutneys. The spice also works well in a variety of rice dishes, stews, soups, breads, pickles, barbecue sauces, and chili con carne recipes. It is best to be conservative when cooking with cumin as its flavor can easily overtake a dish.
What taste does cumin give?
Rich and hearty, earthy and warm, with an edge of citrus, Cumin adds instant depth to any dish. Use ground Cumin rather than whole Cumin seed in recipes where you want the flavor to disperse evenly throughout.
What meat is cumin good for?
Cumin complements the taste of lamb, beef, pork, poultry and fish, whether these are roasted, sauteed or stewed. Dieters can sprinkle chicken with cumin and broil it; the pungent flavor compensates for the lack of fat. And cumin can be used in marinades, as in North African Fish Steaks with Cumin and Garlic.
How does cumin help in weight loss?
Cumin has the potential for helping you lose weight because of a unique active ingredient — thymoquinone, a naturally occurring chemical that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Thymoquinone can target free radicals in your body, assisting your body in cleansing itself of toxins.
Does cumin smell like BO?
Of cumin’s own odor profile, it’s warm, heavily aromatic, and pungent. To find out if cumin really does smell like body odor, I experimented by putting a pinch of cumin seeds in a sachet and left it in my fragrance wardrobe.
