Cumin

Cumin, also known as Indian cumin, is a spice made from the dried fruits of Cuminum cyminum. It has an intense, earthy, slightly sharp and warming flavour with a faintly smoky undertone. The spice is indispensable in the kitchens of the Middle East, India, North Africa and Latin America. It is used both whole and ground: whole seeds usually go into hot oil at the start of cooking, while the ground form is blended into spice mixes such as garam masala, ras el hanout or chilli. It seasons meat, pulses, rice dishes, sauces and soups. In Central Europe it is often confused with caraway, but the two plants are entirely different.