Cumin

Cumin is the dried seed of Cuminum cyminum, available as whole seeds or a fine brown powder. It delivers a warm, earthy aroma with slightly bitter notes and a hint of citrus, and appears in rubs, chilies, curries, and rice dishes as well as many spice blends. It is commonly bloomed in oil or briefly toasted to deepen flavor.\n\nOriginating in the Eastern Mediterranean and Southwest Asia, cumin spread along trade routes into Middle Eastern, North African, South Asian, and Latin American cuisines. Seeds are dried after harvest, and ground forms are milled from the dried seed before packing.