Cumin

Cumin comes in seed and powdered form and the seeds themselves range in colour from a light green through to brown and black. Cumin has a very distinctive flavour that could be described as smoky, nutty and warming. The aroma strengthens further when it is roasted or heated in hot oil; black cumin has the most intense smoky aroma. You can make the powdered form yourself or buy it ready-made. The powdered form is always a darker brown in colour than coriander powder but not as dark as garam masala powder. You will find it often partnered with ground coriander and ground turmeric; in many respects these are the ‘Three Musketeers’ of spices.