Cumin Seed

What is cumin seeds?

Cumin is a herbaceous plant that belongs to the Apiaceae family to which parsley, coriander, caraway and chervil also belong. It comes to us from the Near East, it is besides in Syria that is produced the cumin seeds that I propose to you here. Also called white cumin, Moroccan cumin or false aniseed, it should not be confused with meadow cumin which is none other than caraway and black cumin whose seed is distinguished by its black colour and its greater length. Cumin seems to be native to the Nile valley, traces of its use 5,000 years ago have been found in Egypt for its medicinal virtues. The Hebrews used cumin to pay the royalty to the church, while in the Middle Ages the serfs used it as a bargaining chip to gain freedom. In Ancient Rome, cumin was hidden because it was highly prized by explorers. In India, women smoked green cumin as a drug. Cumin thus crossed the centuries and the borders by occupying various functions. Today our cumin seeds are simply present in the kitchens, even if we still recognize its virtues for health and well-being. It is since the Middle Ages that its gustatory qualities and its capacity to offer another dimension to a recipe have been recognised.

What is the flavour of cumin seeds?

Between sweetness and bitterness, the cumin seed develops beautiful aromatic notes in the mouth which are not without reminding us of fennel with its aniseed side. Isn't it called false aniseed?

The cumin seed harvest

Caraway is an annual plant that grows to a height of only 30 cm. It thrives in a Mediterranean climate and appreciates soils with low humidity. This umbelliferous plant produces pods, which are harvested as soon as they turn brown. The stems are cut off and hung to be dried in an airy place. As it dries, the stem simply releases the seeds, which will fall out on their own. Simply shaking the stem will cause the last seeds still hanging to fall off.

How to use cumin seeds?

Cumin seeds will become a real ally in your kitchen. You hadn't thought of using it yet? We'll help you by giving you some ideas. Cumin seeds can be used in many recipes. Its sweet aniseed flavour works wonders from the starter to the dessert. The Romans themselves incorporated it in their olive oil while the Dutch put it in their cheese, you may have already had the chance to taste a cumin Gouda, it's delicious. The whole world appreciates the cumin seed for its flavours. North Africans, Mexicans and Indians regularly use it in their soups, meat dishes and pastries.

Our recipe ideas with cumin seeds

The starter: Munster and cumin quiche

Since cumin goes perfectly with cheese as the Dutch taught us, let's try a delicious Munster and cumin pie. You can add leeks or endives to add a little vegetable to this colourful recipe.

The dish: Shrimp curry with cumin

Prepare a delicious shrimp curry with coconut milk, Greek yoghurt, curry, ginger and turmeric. In the middle of cooking, add cumin seeds that will bring this fresh and aniseedy taste that will go perfectly with this dish.

The dessert: Spicy chocolate mousse with cumin seeds

For your dessert, I suggest a delicious chocolate mousse, but not a mousse like you are used to eating. This time, I invite you to add a little nutmeg, coriander and cumin seeds. All these spices will be added in small quantities so as not to completely denature this dessert. For a perfect balance, use dark chocolate.

The health benefits of cumin seeds

Buying cumin seeds gives a real freshness to your dishes and makes them more complex. But did you know that by doing so, you are acting in favour of your health? Like any spice worthy of the name, cumin seed has virtues. First and foremost, it is known to relieve digestive problems (bloating, flatulence, stomach pain, etc.). It also has diuretic properties. Its galactogenic virtues make it the perfect ally for breastfeeding mothers. Cumin is rich in manganese, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, iron, magnesium, phosphorus and beta-carotene. This healthy cocktail makes it an antioxidant food and able to help in the fight against high blood pressure, aging cells and fever. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic, it relieves various types of pain and is therefore widely used in Chinese medicine. To benefit from all these properties, you can integrate cumin seeds in your recipes or simply prepare an infusion throughout the day. Some have even chosen to chew a few seeds after meals to help digestion.

The conservation of cumin seeds

The cumin seed is stored in an opaque container away from moisture.