Cumin Seeds are from the same family as parsley, it has been used since ancient times as a medicinal plant to improve digestion, boils, or insomnia. A very common spice in Indian and Persian cuisines is mentioned in the Bible. 

Its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties also help improve memory, power level, and concentration, while its B and E vitamins support neuronal function and improve mental health.

Cumin can help prevent or treat:

• Cancer
• Type 2 diabetes
• Epilepsy
• Osteoporosis
• Tuberculosis

Coriander Seeds are rich in iron, it is ideal for increasing the body’s defenses, as it strengthens the immune system, as well as prevents diseases such as anemia since iron is essential to manufacture hemoglobin, a protein in red blood cells that helps transport oxygen from the lungs to different parts of the body.

Ayurvedic medicine practitioners use cumin for its bitter, pungent, and cooling properties. The seeds are believed to be beneficial for eye disorders, gastrointestinal disorders (such as stomach upset, flatulence, and dyspepsia), cardiovascular disease, uterine disease, fever, and tuberculosis.

urinary disorders (including kidney problems and kidney stones), urinary disorders of the liver, insomnia and skin diseases (rashes). They also believe it acts to promote lactation, as an antimicrobial and kills intestinal worms.

what is cumin?

Cumin Cuminum cyminum L. is a herbaceous plant belonging to the same family as parsley, fennel, green anise, or dill. As defined in the RAE, “from the Latin cumīnum, and this from the Greek κύμινον kýminon, it is an herb of the Umbelliferae family, with a branchy and ribbed stem.

Both grain and ground, cumin shines with its own light thanks to its flavor and aroma, which do not go unnoticed in preparations as classic as hummus or Canarian mojo picón. If you stay until the end, you will discover these and many other recipes in which we can bring this ancient plant to life.

It is thought that the first seeds of this herb were planted in North Africa, and it has long been known for its healing properties.

It was rumored to have medical, mystical, and sexual capabilities, and because of its high value, it was only used on special occasions in some countries.

Presently, 90% of the world’s consumption and 70% of the world’s output come from India, with top producers including Chile, Mexico, Syria, Egypt, Morocco, Turkey, Iran, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and China. Given that this seed makes up a substantial amount of its traditional recipe book, this is hardly surprising.

The aroma and flavor of cumin take us directly to the Mediterranean. However, this ingredient has traveled the world as one of the most used spices, not only in gastronomy but also for therapeutic purposes.

o speak of cumin is to delve fully into the essence of Mediterranean cuisine. But also, in many other countries around the world. We go through them and see how this plant is not only admired for its flavor and aroma, but also for its nutritional and medicinal properties.

Properties and benefits of cumin

If Cumin Seeds are known for something, in addition to their powerful flavor, it is for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Incorporating it into our regular diet, therefore, not only awakens the senses of our palate but also helps us, among other things, to improve the state of our memory, a function in which its high content of vitamins B and E also intervenes.

Cumin is also an important source of iron. This mineral is very important, as it helps in the creation of hemoglobin, strengthens the immune system, and helps to prevent diseases such as anemia.

Another of the benefits attributed to this seed is its high content of potassium and zinc, minerals that relieve heavy digestion or simply regulate the functioning of our digestive system.

In this sense, cumin complements this aid as it is an important source of fiber. It is very beneficial, therefore, for those people who suffer from occasional constipation, who can benefit from it by preparing infusions with the same seeds, and adding honey or lemon if desired.

Since ancient times, in fact, this plant has been used to solve digestive problems, bloating, flatulence, episodes of fever, and even heart disease. Also as a diuretic, to relieve muscle cramps, and as a relaxant. The latter is due to the fact that cumin has a high content of B vitamins, which help improve sleep quality, relaxing our nervous system, stress and anxiety.

Uses of cumin in the kitchen

When Cumin Seeds are part of a recipe, it leaves their mark. Its intense, powerful, and characteristic flavor does not go unnoticed when we integrate it into a dish. In fact, there are elaborations that without this ingredient would not be what they are. We are talking, for example, about hummus, Canarian mojos, or Burgos blood sausage, among others.

But beyond these classics, what other recipes can we season with Cumin Seeds? If what we want is to extract its maximum aroma and flavor, the whole seeds can be drily roasted to grind them later in a mortar or grind them directly in an electric grinder. In this way, we will maintain its purest and freshest flavor.

Also crushed in a mortar, cumin is ideal for preparing preparations such as curry, also forming part of countless sauces, the typical mojo of the Canary Islands, sometimes gazpacho, Burgos black pudding, and the sauce that accompanies Madrid stew. , among others.

Another option is to add the seeds to a container with a little hot oil before you start cooking. What we will achieve is to aromatize that oil that we will use as a base to prepare, for example, a stew or a meat stew, a chickpea stew, a vegetable cream, etc.

Recipes with cumin

Many of the recipes that we have told you about are available in our section for kitchen experts. If you are interested in knowing the practical part of using this spice in the kitchen, take a look at our cumin recipes section, where you will find these and many other dishes prepared by our expert team of chefs. In some cases, you will need the whole spice, in others ground: the sure thing is that it will be practically impossible to resist the charm of the preparations you make with this ingredient. Be careful with the amounts!

Properties and benefits of cumin