Description
It has a hot and aromatic flavour and is often used in curries. The essential oil obtained from the seed is used as flavouring as well.
Cumin is a flowering plant in the family Apiaceae, native from the east Mediterranean to Pakistan/India.Its seeds are used in the cuisines of many different cultures, in both whole and ground form.
Plant Specifications
| Common Name | Comino, Jeera, Jeerige, Jilakara, Jintan puteh, Jinten bodas, Jinten, Jira zeera, Jira, Jiraka jira, Jiraka, Jiregire, Jorekam, Kumin, Safed jeera, Siragam, Sududuru, Sulpha phul, Yeera, Zira-sufed. |
| Maximum Reachable Height | 0.3 m |
| Flower Colour | yellow-brown |
| Bloom Time | june to july |
| Difficulty Level | easy to grow |
Planting and care
Cuminum cyminum care
It is hardy to zone (UK) 8 and is frost tender. It is in leaf 10-May It is in flower from Jun to July, and the seeds ripen from Aug to September. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Insects.The plant is self-fertile.
| Sunlight | Full Sun |
| Watering | Medium |
| Soil | well-drained soil |
| Temperature | 20 to 30C |
| Fertilizer | Apply any organic fertilizer |
Cuminum cyminum special feature
It is little used at present in Western cooking, though it is much employed in India268. A hot and aromatic flavour, it is an important ingredient in curries, and is also often used as a flavouring in biscuits, cakes and bread where it also helps in improving the digestion1, 4, 14, 21, 27, 46, 132, 171, 244. The seed is harvested when fully ripe and is then dried and stored in airtight jars244.
Cuminum cyminum uses
Ornamental Use:
- used for ornamental purpose
Medicinal Use:
- A general tonic to the whole digestive system, it is used in the treatment of flatulence and bloating, reducing intestinal gas and relaxing the gut as a whole
- In India it is also used in the treatment of insomnia, colds and fevers and to improve milk production in nursing mothers
Culinary Use:
- Seed - cooked as a flavouring
- A hot and aromatic flavour, it is an important ingredient in curries, is used as a seasoning in soups and stews, and is also often used as a flavouring in biscuits, cakes and bread where it also helps in improving the digestion