Origin of the Spice and History

The exact origin of cumin not known, but is said to have come from Iran, the Mediterranean or Egypt, with some suggesting that the Nile Valley was the place where it was first found.

One of the earliest uses of cumin is reported to have been in the mummification of the Egyptian Pharaohs. This is one of the reasons cumin was nicknamed ‘the seed of the gods’ – it dates back almost 5,000 years, making it one of the oldest spices on earth.

During ancient times in India, cumin is said to have been used both medicinally and in the kitchen. This was also true of Roman and Greek cuisines – in fact, the ancient Greeks were reported to have kept little pots of it on the dinner table.