Cumin Seed

There’s a reason you find cumin used in nearly every cuisine worldwide, why the Greeks used it for medicine, and why the Egyptians utilized it in the mummification process. Cumin is fragrant, nutritional, and makes everything taste utterly wonderful. (Except for mummies.)

In fact, throughout history many spices were considered rare and unfathomably expensive, yet cumin was so beloved it made the rounds early. By the 6th century it could be found from Vietnam to England, to parts of South America and the Caribbean. In addition, it was cheap and so every household could afford to utilize it.

These cumin seeds are actually black cumin seeds, a variety that’s much darker than the olive green seeds commonly sold. They have a sweeter smell and possess hints of caraway. Less bitter with a milder pungency, they offer the same buttery and earthy richness one wants from a cumin seed. Lightly toasting the seed in a dry skillet over medium heat will release the oils and allow the aromas and flavors to bloom. Afterwards, use whole or mill in a spice grinder.