Cumin

Cumin, the seed of the plant Cuminum cyminium, is a spice that is called jira (sometimes written jeera) in Hindi and many other subcontinental languages. The most common variety has pale-tan long, narrow seeds and a flavor related to caraway, anise, and fennel. It is widely available. Black cumin has smaller, finer seeds and a more penetrating, more complex flavor. It is most often used in meat dishes, especially in Moghul-style cooking (see Pakistani Lamb Pulao). It is available in South Asian grocery stores, but regular cumin can be substituted. We keep whole cumin seeds on hand and grind them fresh when ground cumin is called for; they grind very easily in a mortar or a spice/coffee grinder.