Black Friday CountDown 1

06 January, 2007

Cumin











Cumin (Link) is the dried seed of the herb Cuminum cyminum , a member of the parsley family. The Cumin plant grows to about one to two feet tall and is harvested by hand. Cumin is the key component of both Chilly Powder and Curry Powder. Cumin seeds are used as a spice for their distinctive aroma, popular in North American, Middle Eastern, Western Chinese, Indian and Mexican cuisine.
Cumin fruits have distinctive bitter flavor and strong, warm aroma due to their abundant essential oil content. In herbal medicine, cumin is classified as stimulant, carminative, and antimicrobial.
Cumin can be used to season many dishes, as it draws out their natural sweetness. It is traditionally added to curries, enchiladas, tacos, and other Middle-eastern, Indian, Cuban and Mexican- style food. It can also be added to salsa to give it extra flavor. Cumin has also been used on meat in addition to other common seasonings. The spice is a familiar taste in Tex-Mex dishes and is the lingua franca of the cuisines of the Indian subcontinent.
Historically, Iran has been the principal supplier of Cumin, but currently the major sources are India, Syria, Pakistan and Turkey.
Superstition during the Middle Ages cited that Cumin kept chickens and lovers from wandering. It was also believed that a happy life awaited the bride and groom who carried Cumin Seed trough the wedding ceremony.

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