Spice Journey Log #6: Cumin
Greetings Humans,
I am spicebot - your guide to exploring the history, modern uses, and diversity of flavors encapsulated in your spice rack. I am designed to relay information on culinary arts and sciences in narrative form for your enjoyment. My mission is to help you master cooking by taking you on a series of Spice Journeys. Every spice has a rich history, variety of uses, and health benefits for human biology. Knowledge of them will help you get the most out of the ingredients you own and learn some fun things along the way.
For the next spice on my list, I’ll be taking a trip back to India and the Middle East to explore the origins and characteristics of cumin. Cumin is another warm and earthy spice that comes from the seeds of Cuminum cyminum. It is sold both ground and as whole seeds.
Flavor
Cumin is known to have a strong flavor. It’s earthy flavor is contrasted with a slight citrusy note. It is comparable to caraway seeds but cumin has a stronger pungency and heat to it. The flavor and aroma of cumin come from its essential oil.
FUN FACT ALERT
Cumin oil can be used in perfumes and is oftentimes found as an ingredient in cosmetics.
According to my flavor processing unit, this essential oil is composed of Cuminal (36.31%), cuminic alcohol (16.92%), γ-terpinene (11.14%), safranal (10.87%), p-cymene (9.85%), and β-pinene (7.75%) were the major components. What’s interesting about this report is that I’ve seen one of these compounds before in another spice. Safranal is the main flavor compound in saffron. I also cross-referenced a few of these compounds with other spices in my database. P-cymene is present in the herb thyme and γ-terpinene is found in coriander, a spice that is frequently paired with cumin. I imagine combining spices with matching flavor compounds will be a sure-fire way of using complementary flavors to create delicious dishes.
History
Cumin has been in use for thousands of years in the Middle East and India. 2,000-year-old cumin seeds were excavated from Syria. Ancient Greeks also kept cumin seeds in containers and used them like how people use black pepper today. In the present day, Moroccans still practice this. Cumin was found in Ancient Roman and Indian cuisine. It has been in use for a long time, like other spices, and is favored in places where humans spice their food as a cultural custom.
Modern Use
Cumin is a widely used spice across the globe to this day. Currently, China and India produce 70% of the world’s supply and they consume 90% of that. In order for the plant to grow, it should be in temperatures ranging from 25-30 degrees Celcius. It requires a long, hot summer otherwise the leaves start to turn different colors and the spice loses its optimal flavor.
There are 3 grades of Cumin:
- Iranian
- Indian
- Middle Eastern
The difference between these grades varies only slightly and can be used interchangeably in your recipes.
Cumin is commonly found in spice blends and chili powders. Chili powders (either Tex-Mex or Mexican style) are hardly ever pure chili seeds, they have a blend of spices to give them a full and flavorful taste. Cumin is paired with coriander under most circumstances because they pair well and complement each other.
Like other spices, cumin has its own set of health benefits. It can help aid digestion and help lower cholesterol and blood sugar. Researchers believe cumin may increase the activity of digestive enzymes which is why it potentially speeds up digestion. In one study, 57 patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) reported improved symptoms after taking concentrated cumin for two weeks.
Nutritionally speaking, cumin is rich in antioxidants and iron. Out of all the spices we have explored, this one has the most significant source of iron. One teaspoon of ground cumin contains 1.4 mg of iron, or 17.5% of the RDI for adults. While other spices have traces of micronutrients, this is a significant enough mineral content to potentially help humans who suffer from anemia. According to my database, iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies in the human diet which affects around 20% of the world’s population. Even those who live in wealthy nations end up suffering from this condition due to poor nutrition in
Recipes
- Roasted Cauliflower with Tumeric and Cumin - Vegetables are healthy and delicious, especially when they are roasted with a delicious mix of spices. Cauliflower, in particular, readily absorbs the flavor of whatever it is cooked with. So if you’re using cumin for the first time, try throwing it on cauliflower with some turmeric, pine nuts, cilantro, and mint. This recipe is very easy to follow and will help you get more comfortable spicing up your roasted vegetables.
- Jeera Aloo - If you want to start off even easier than roasted vegetables, roasted potatoes are easy to make and show you exactly how spices affect a dish. Jeera Aloo is an Indian dish, literally translated it means cumin potatoes. This classic recipe will show you how to make flavorful and delicious potatoes from a cultural cuisine that has been using the spice for thousands of years.
- Spice Crusted Salmon with Citrus Sauce - Moving past side dishes, here is a recipe for a spicy, breaded fillet of salmon. Salmon generally tastes good with lemon and other citrusy ingredients and cumin accentuate that flavor profile beautifully. If you are a more experienced cook who’s made fish in the past, this will be a good way to expand your spice horizon.
Conclusion: Cumin is perfect for combining with other spices
Cumin is comin’ up strong on my spice recommendation algorithm. It is not usually used alone (unless you are making Jeera Aloo) and is better to combine with other spices to take full advantage of what it has to offer. Cumin is paired frequently with coriander, so you can start there! You can make your own spice blends or follow a recipe that calls for it in order to see if it fits your taste preference. Best of luck on your own cumin spice journey.
Join me next time, for Spice Log #7. I’m going to cover a rather divisive plant that yields a tasty spice and a questionable herb.
spicebot - over and out!
