Whole cumin seed (djinten, jeera)

Cumin seed whole for a fuller flavour in your dishes

The green to grey-brown cumin seed whole is also called djinten, after the Indonesian name for this spice. We know it from the Asian kitchen. Few people know, however, that cumin seed can be used for many more dishes. You can give it a shining role in both Dutch and international dishes and also make delicious, healthy tea from it. You can buy cumin seed online at Natural Spices in various pack sizes. You can buy it in packs of 300 grams, 1 kilo or 20 kilos. And all this for an attractive price. Reason enough to order this spice and experiment with it in your kitchen.

Where does cumin whole come from?

Cumin whole comes from the cumin plant, which originates in Iran, Syria, India and Turkey. The whole cumin seed that you can buy online at Natural Spices comes from Turkish soil. The leaves of the plant are somewhat similar to those of fennel and the seeds have a light nut-pepper flavour, which can also be compared to aniseed. The cumin plant belongs to the same family as dill, coriander and chervil. Just like these herbs, cumin seed has a very strong, spicy and at the same time slightly bitter smell and taste. Apart from being used as seeds, the spice can also be used as finely ground powder. This powder can also be ordered online from us. Cumin seed whole, however, has a stronger smell and taste and retains both for longer. In addition, it has a longer shelf life.

The difference with caraway seeds

Though they are very similar, cumin seeds whole and caraway seeds are essentially completely different spices that come from different plants. Both have an aniseed-like flavour, but cumin seed is a bit more bitter. Caraway seeds also have a somewhat stronger scent and taste.

How to use cumin whole?

It is best to lightly roast cumin whole before adding it to your dish. Make sure you don't do this for too long, otherwise they will have a bitter taste. After roasting you can bruise or grind the cumin seed. The spice tastes like aniseed and has a warm, aromatic character. It gives dishes a fuller flavour. It also works well in side dishes based on yoghurt and/or cucumber. You can also use it instead of black pepper in a dish, just as you used to do in the old days. Just experiment with it and try it out in a fried egg or scrambled egg.

Health benefits

Already in the traditional medicine, cumin seed has been used to treat all kinds of symptoms. Not surprisingly, because the spice is a source of minerals, especially iron. It also contains antioxidants and stimulates the liver. It has a regulating effect on blood sugar levels.