Cumin seeds

Cumin seeds

Cumin seeds
Cumin is the dried fruit of a small herbaceous plant. Cumin adds flavour to foods, liquors and beverages. The spice is of particular value in the blending of Indian curry powder. It also enlivens pulaous, biryanis and kebabs. Cumin has digestive properties and when boiled in water acts as an excellent refreshener. It is also used in medicines, toiletries and perfumery. Indian cumin grows abundantly in Gujarat, Rajasthan and Utter Pradesh. It is exported in its natural form as well as oil and powdered forms. Exports are mostly to USA, Singapore, Japan, UK and North Africa.
Description
Cumin sometimes spelled cummin is a flowering plant in the family Apiaceae, native from the east Mediterranean to East India. Indonesians call it jintan (or jinten). In India cumin is known in as jeera or jira or sometimes zira but in Pakistan it is known as zeera. The use of cumin is very common in Indian and Pakistani foods.