Spices Cumin Seeds

The cumin, or comino, “seeds” are actually dry fruits known as schizocarps. They are thin yellowish brown elongated ovals about 6 mm (0.25 inch) long. Each features five prominent longitudinal dorsal ridges interspersed with less-distinctive secondary ridges forming a tiny gridlike pattern. Cumin is the dried seed of the herb Cuminum cyminum, a member of the parsley family. The cumin plant grows to 30–50 cm (12–20 in) tall and is harvested by hand. It is an annual herbaceous plant, with a slender, glabrous, branched stem that is 20–30 cm (8–12 in) tall and has a diameter of 3–5 cm (11?4–2 in). Cumin is an essential spice for Indian curries and chutneys. The spice also works well in a variety of rice dishes, stews, soups, breads, pickles, barbecue sauces, and chili con carne recipes.