Whole cumin seeds for a fuller flavor in your dishes

The green to gray-brown whole cumin seed is also called djinten, after the Indonesian name for this spice. We therefore mainly know it from Asian cuisine. However, few people know that you can use whole cumin seeds for many more dishes. You can give them a starring role in both Dutch and international dishes and also brew a tasty, healthy tea from them. You can buy whole cumin seeds from Natural Spices online in various package sizes. You can buy them in a 300 gram, 1 kilogram or 20 kilogram package. And all that at an attractive price. Reason enough to order this spice and experiment with it in your kitchen.

Where do whole cumin seeds come from?

Whole cumin seeds come from the cumin plant, which originates in Iran, Syria, India and Turkey. The whole cumin seeds you can buy from Natural Spices online come from Turkish soil. The leaves of the plant somewhat resemble those of fennel and the seeds have a slight nut-pepper taste, which can also be somewhat compared to anise. The cumin plant belongs to the same family as dill, coriander and chervil. Like these herbs, whole cumin seeds have a strong, pungent and at the same time slightly bitter aroma and taste. Apart from using the spice as seeds, you can also use it as a finely ground powder. This powder can also be ordered online from us. However, whole cumin seeds are stronger in aroma and flavor and retain both for longer. In addition, they have a longer shelf life. 

The difference with caraway seeds

Although they look very similar, whole cumin seeds and caraway seeds are essentially completely different spices that come from different plants. Both have an anise-like taste, but cumin is somewhat more bitter. Caraway also has a somewhat stronger aroma and flavor.

How do you use whole cumin seeds?

It is best to lightly roast whole cumin seeds before adding them to your dish. Be careful not to do this for too long, because otherwise they will develop a bitter taste. After roasting you can crush or grind the whole cumin seeds. The spice tastes anise-like and has a warm, aromatic character. It gives dishes a fuller flavor. It also works well in side dishes based on yogurt and/or cucumber. You can also use it, as people used to do, in a dish instead of black pepper. Try experimenting with that and try it in a fried egg or scrambled eggs. 

Cumin seeds and health

Cumin seeds have been used for centuries as a flavoring in kitchens around the world. Naturally, cumin contains various nutrients and plant compounds that are the subject of scientific research. Because you usually use cumin in small amounts, the greatest value is primarily in the rich taste and aroma it adds to dishes.

By flavoring dishes with herbs and spices such as cumin, you can also easily add extra flavor without using a lot of salt or sugar. That makes cumin a versatile choice in a varied diet.

Would you like to know more about cumin? Also read our blog "Cumin: what is it, what does it taste like and what do you use it for?"