CUMIN
Cumin has been a part of the human diet for thousands of years. It’s grown in the Middle East, Mediterranean, India, and China. Today, most cumin sold in the United States originally comes from India.
People across the world use cumin as a seasoning in food and extract its oil for perfumes. It’s also a popular remedy in traditional medicine—and for good reason. Cumin packs a lot of health benefits into a few tiny seeds.
Health Benefits
- Cancer Prevention
- Cholesterol Control
- Diabetes Management
Improve Digestion
Weight Control
Nutrition
Cumin contains compounds called flavonoids that work as antioxidants in the body. Antioxidants can help neutralize unstable particles called free radicals that cause cell damage. By neutralizing these particles, antioxidants can help prevent diseases like cancer, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
Cumin is also a good source of :
- Vitamin A
- Calcium
- Iron
Nutrients per Serving
1 teaspoon of cumin contains :
- Calories: 8
- Protein: 0 grams
- Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 1 gram
- Fiber: 0 grams
- Sugar: 0 grams
Things to Watch Out For
Dried cumin seeds may be processed into ground cumin powder on machinery that has also processed common allergens, such as peanuts or tree nuts. If you have a peanut or tree nut allergy, be sure to check the label of any cumin you use to make sure it is free from allergens. If you are particularly sensitive to tree nuts or peanuts, you may consider purchasing whole cumin from a health food store then toasting and grinding the spice yourself.
How to Prepare Cumin
Cumin is a popular seasoning in many Indian and Latin American dishes. Some recipes call for use of the whole cumin seed while others use the powdered form.
Both cumin seed and powder have a rich, earthy, nutty flavor. If you’re using whole cumin seeds, try toasting them in a nonstick pan to bring out more of their unique flavor.
Here are just a few ways you can experiment with using cumin as a seasoning in your food :
- Add cumin to a spice rub for grilled chicken or fish.
- Mix cumin with yogurt, veggies, and other spices to make a traditional Indian raita.
- Toss cumin seeds with rice or couscous.
- Stir cumin into your favorite chili recipe.
- Sprinkle a little cumin onto a salad for an extra kick.