The Science of Spice

126 Spice Profiles

Evidence of cumin in Egypt’s

pyramids suggests that it was in use

more than 5,000 years ago. The

Ancient Greeks and Romans used

cumin as a table seasoning alongside

salt. Roman naturalist Pliny the

Elder regarded it as the king of

condiments, and in modern-day

Georgia and Africa salt combined

with cumin is still a popular

seasoning. From the 7th century CE,

Arab traders transported cumin on

their spice caravans to North Africa

and east to Iran, India, Indonesia,

and China, and it became a key

component of many regional spice

mixes, including baharat (Middle

East), garam masala and panch phoran

(India), and ras el hanout (Morocco).

Spanish conquistadors introduced

cumin to the Americas in the 16th

century, notably to Mexico, where the

spice became deeply embedded in

the cuisine.

Region of cultivation

Thought to be native to Egypt’s Nile Valley

and the Eastern Mediterranean, cumin is

cultivated in India (the largest producer and

consumer), China, Syria, Turkey, and Iran.

Palestine and USA are other producers.

The plant

Cumin is a drought-

tolerant, annual

herbaceous plant in

the parsley family.

Whole

The boat-shaped, light brown seeds

will keep their flavour for up to a

year if stored in a sealed container

somewhere cool and dark.

Multi-stemmed

plant grows to

30–60cm

(1–2ft) tall

Seeds

measure

around 6mm

(¼in) long

Seeds derive

from umbels

of small, white

or pink-mauve

flowers

Powder

Buy ground

cumin in small

quantities, as it

quickly loses

its potency; use

within a couple

of months.

BOTANICAL NAME

Cuminum cyminum

ALSO KNOWN AS

Roman caraway, jeera.

MAJOR FLAVOUR COMPOUND

Cuminaldehyde.

PARTS USED

“Seeds”, which are technically fruits

METHOD OF CULTIVATION

Grown as an annual crop, plants are cut

around four months after planting, when

the fruits turn yellow-brown.

COMMERCIAL PREPARATION

Stalks are dried then threshed to separate

fruits, which are then further dried.

NON-CULINARY USES

Essential oil in perfumes and veterinary

medicines. In traditional medicine, taken

to aid indigestion and relieve flatulence.

CUMIN

Earthy | Herby | Woody

Spice story

TURKEY

IRAN

INDIA

CHINA

EGYPT

SYRIA

PALESTINE

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