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    Home > Spices

    October 31, 2019

    Cumin: Toasting The Benefits

    Jeera: Winnowing The Seeds

    Did you know Cumin is the second most popular spice in the world, right after black pepper? I didn’t and considering it occurs like a leitmotif in every Indian meal, it shouldn’t have been that shocking! And we’re not the only people who find the spice an indispensable flavoring agent. Mexican dishes are loaded with it.

    Roasted cumin seeds, coarsely grounded

     

    The small seeds we cavalierly throw on hot oil before the start of every recipe are actually dehydrated fruits of the plant. The plant, which by the way belongs to the same family as parsley, is rooted out - tiny white-pink flowers and all and left to dry. The seeds are winnowed by beating the dried husk with sticks.

    Cumin seeds

    Why Use Cumin: Benefits of the Seed of Good Digestion

    Cumin is like tiny pockets of sweet-smelling wonder. How many spices do you think can brag being mentioned in not one but two ancient tomes? A native of Egypt, Jeera is one of the few spices you’ll find mentioned in Ayurveda and the Bible.

    Mentions aside, it is the cooling effect of the seed that makes it a staple. I love adding the aromatic seed in every curry because it’s phenomenal for the digestion and ramping up metabolism. How does it do that? The elliptical seeds are filled with Copper, Zinc, Magnesium, Iron and Potassium, all of which help in absorbing food nutrients.

    And, because jeera enhances digestive fire, it also relieves flatulence. If you suffer from acidity, try eating cumin mixed with coriander and ghee every day. If you rather prefer something liquid, then have water infused with jeera (think: detox water).

    Cumin/ Jeera Infused Water with mint and oranges

    Jeera: A Quick How-To

    I deplore to say it, but cooking with cumin has me stifling yawns of gargantuan dimensions. Why you ask? Well, it’s the repetitiveness. You add oil, warm it and then sprinkle the spice on it. So, I thought why not take a ride on the wild side.

    With that in mind, here are some out-of-the-box recipes in which I’ve used the bitter yet warm flavored spice in a truly unconventional way. Each one is more interesting than the one before; and if I may say so, very delicious.

    Mango Raita flavored beautifully with powder of roasted cumin. Grounding the seed makes the spice stronger and toasting accentuates the taste. For a hot day, it is the perfect cooling garnish.

    Mango Raita - aam ka raita | summer recipe

    Shakshuka is a Middle Eastern dish that brings together the juicy goodness of tomato with the richness of poached eggs. Sprinkled in it a bit of cumin to make them taste just right.

    Shakshuka easy egg dish brunch

    Mango Avocado Salsa is for the times you want something fresh and healthy. Season it with cumin and you’ll be constantly reaching for one more chip.

    Mango Avocado Salsa vegan glutenfree healthy easy recipe cumin

    And yes, because it feels incomplete not to add an Indian dish,  try this Sabudana Khichdi recipe loaded with cumin.

    Sabudana Khichdi / Sago Pearl Pilaf Vrat ka Khana Indian Food Vegan Glutenfree Cumin

    Tasha’s Inside Tip

    Instead of adding cumin at the start, drizzle it at the end. Heat the seeds in ghee or oil and then pour it over your cooked vegetable!

    I hope you are enjoying my #spiceseries blogs.

    I’d love to hear from you! Please tag me on Instagram @tashasartisanfoods, using the hashtag #tashasartisanfoods. You can also FOLLOW ME on INSTAGRAM, PINTEREST for more fabulous recipes! Do subscribe to Tasha’s Artisan Foods so you’ll never miss a recipe!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Easyfoodsmith says

      November 06, 2019 at 8:30 pm

      The toasted ones are indeed so heady in their aroma and perfect for sprinkling over a zillion things.

      Reply
      • Natasha Minocha says

        November 06, 2019 at 9:03 pm

        Absolutely! Love using bhuna jeera so much, just takes the dish to another level altogether.

        Reply
    2. Easyfoodsmith says

      November 06, 2019 at 8:31 pm

      By any chance, have you closed the option of 'Leave a Reply' on your post on Pumpkin Pie Bliss Balls coz it is not reflecting that option. Just wanted to let you know.

      Reply
      • Natasha Minocha says

        November 06, 2019 at 9:01 pm

        Oops! Forgot to click that! Done now, thanks for the heads up! xoxo

        Reply
    3. Kitchenhutt Spices says

      January 11, 2023 at 10:37 am

      Exact benefits you shared with us !!

      Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Fennel Seeds: Roast For More Benefits - Tasha's Artisan Foods says:
      January 28, 2020 at 1:07 PM

      […] seeds belong to the same family as cumin and look pretty similar to aniseed. The fruit of the plant (yes, it’s not a seed; just looks like […]

      Reply

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