Cumin Seeds

Cumin, a member of the parsley family, is native to the southern Mediterranean region and has been known since ancient times and is mentioned in the Bible. The golden brown seeds are a staple in the spice world, particularly in India, Sri Lanka, Morocco, Tunisia, Lebanon, most Mediterranean countries, Indonesia, Malaysia and southern Thailand, and are essential in all Asian spice blends. Cumin seeds, which look similar to and are often confused with caraway seeds, have a distinctive strong aroma and a slightly bittersweet, assertive and lingering warm, earthy flavour. Dry-roasting the seeds releases the flavour further. The seeds are used medicinally to treat biliousness, indigestion, colds and fever.