Cumin / Jeera

Cumin, with its warm, pungent, earthy flavor, is widely used in regions that favor highly spiced foods, like India, Middle East, Asia, North Africa, Mexico, and Latin America. A member of the parsley family, the seeds resemble caraway seeds and are often confused, but cumin boasts a much stronger flavor and is a key ingredient in curry blends and spice mixtures. It is used to season stews, meats (particularly lamb), fish, vegetables, and rice dishes. In Europe, it is used to spice some cheeses and as a pickling ingredient for cabbage.