Cumin
cum·in
Origin: Cumin has been used for thousands of years and originated in the Eastern Mediterranean. In ancient Greece, cumin was a common spice and found on the table with salt and pepper. You can still witness this in some part of Greece and Morocco today.
Cumin is a dried seed which comes from a family of the parsley herb. It was first introduced to the Americas by the Spanish and Portuguese. Today it is mostly grown in India, Mexico, Chile and China. Cumin can be found in green or brown seeds varying in the region they come from.
Recipes: Cumin is a staple in many traditional cuisines. This is one of my go-to spices for many dishes. It can be used in the ground form or the whole seed form. I use both! This aromatic seed has to be roasted slightly to release the flavor.
Cumin is often used in Moroccan/ N. African dishes such as a Lamb Tagine or for a vegetarian option, a Chickpea Tagine.
I often use cumin to flavor meats such as a lamb burger or in a hearty chili.
It is widely used in Indian cooking and you will find cumin listed as an ingredient in most Indian curries. An all-time favorite is aloo gobi, a delicious Cauliflower and Potato Curry or a traditional Chicken Curry.
To fancy up a weeknight meal, simply add cumin seeds to rice for an extra level of flavor and aroma.
Medicinal Cures:
In many cultures, cumin is used to cures and ailments.
It is known to help with digestion, liver health, cough and general pain. According to Medical News Today,
“In Iran, people use cumin to treat seizures, while people in Tunisia use it to help fight infections and lower blood pressure.”
After regular use in the diet, it has been found to help with weight loss, body fat and decrease in insulin levels. It is also known to reduce bad cholesterol. Another benefit of cumin is it can be effective to sharpen memory. Who can’t use a dose of that!
Beauty Uses:
Cumin has antioxidant qualities which can make your skin look smooth and young.
Apparently, you can drink Cumin seed water to serve as a detox. Let's toast to good health!
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