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The increasing popularity of Mexican cuisine has boosted
sales for ground cumin. The spice is a key ingredient in traditional tamales,
enchiladas and frijoles refritos (refried beans).
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Cumin is the dried seed harvested from the herb
Cuminum Cyminum,
a member of the
parsley family. Also known as comino, this spice has a
distinctive aromatic odor and a slightly bitter, but warm taste. It
plays a major role in Mexican, Thai, Vietnamese and Indian cuisines,
and it's also a popular seasoning in the fiery chili recipes of the
southwestern U.S.
A Little Bite of History
An ancient spice, cumin has been found in the tombs of Pharaohs
and mentioned in the Old Testament. In the Middle Ages, European
superstition cited that cumin kept lovers (and chickens) from
wandering. Brides of that era would carry cumin seeds during wedding ceremonies as a sign of faithfulness to their grooms.
Varieties
Cumin comes in whole seeds or ground powder. The seeds are
elliptical in shape and yellowish-brown in color. Ground cumin is
a bright khaki powder with a slightly oily texture. It's stronger in flavor than the whole seeds.
Storage Tips
As with all spices, store cumin in an airtight container away from light and heat. Use it within six months of purchase.
Ground cumin loses pungency faster than whole seeds. If it's clumpy or dull in color, replace it.
Usage Tips
A pinch of cumin can give your everyday recipes an exciting change of
pace. Use cumin seeds in
marinades for
beef and
lamb or add them to
your cooking water when preparing dried
beans or pot roast. They also
add fresh flavor to bottled salad dressings and barbecue sauce.
Stir ground cumin into your
tomato sauce, beef stew and black bean,
lentil or chicken soups. Cumin also makes a great seasoning for
meatloaf, shish kebab and Mexican-style rice.
Bring out the wonderfully earthy flavor of cumin (seeds or ground) by
lightly
toasting in a dry fry pan for two to three minutes before
adding to recipes. Or heat it with a little
garlic and
olive oil and
drizzle over cooked vegetables.
Substitution Tips
When cumin is not available, an equal amount of chili powder is an acceptable substitute for most recipes.
Try one of our favorite cumin recipes:
barbecue,
beans, beef, cabbage, cheese, chicken, couscous, curry, eggs, garlic, lamb,
olive oil, peppers, pickles, pork, potatoes, rice, tomatoes, tortillas,
turkey
