CUMIN-THE MAGICAL SPICE
Cumin is the dried seed of the herb Cuminum cyminum, a member of the parsley family.The term comes via Middle english and Old french from the Latin term cuminum.Cumin is a flowering plant in the family Apiaceae , native to the Middle East and stretching east to India.Its seeds each one contained within a fruit, which is dried are used in the dishes of numerous cultures in both whole and ground form.cumin has been in use as a spice for centuries.
Cumin is the dried, white fruit with greyish brown colour of a small slender herb.Cumin seeds have sharp odour and bitter taste. It is used as a seasoning, and is an essential component in curry powders, seasonings of breads, cakes and cheese.Cumin seed oil is used in perfumery and for flavouring liqueurs and cordials.
Cumin is the mostly used spice in Indian cuisine and is known as Jeera. It forms a perfect combination with mustard seeds especially in vegetarian dishes. Once ground it is used in gravies and various masala powders.An essential component in Indian food, cumin adds nutty, warm flavours and dimension to numerous dishes. Whole cumin seeds can be added to tempering. The roasted and grounded cumin is great for adding in the cooking process. Cumin adds an earthy tone and body to soups, dals, and curries.
India is the world’s largest cumin producing country, contributing about 70% of total world production . The other major cumin–producing countries are Syria (13%), Turkey (6%), UAE (3%), and Iran .Although no standard data is available on world jeera output, it is anticipated to be around 5-6 lakh tonnes. Syria is the second largest cultivator followed by Iran and Turkey.
Rajasthan and Gujarat are the major Indian states that produce cumin. Of these, Gujarat produced nearly 330 thousand metric tons in financial year 2020. The total crop of cumin that year amounted to 546 thousand metric tons, over an area of 841 thousand hectares.
Gujarat is the single largest producer of jeera in the country accounting for over 60-70% of total production and the rest of the crop comes from Rajasthan. Gujarat and Rajasthan together produce around 99% of jeera in the country while the other states produce negligible amounts.
Benefits of Cumin:
- Cumin seeds have antioxidants.Antioxidants help you feel healthier and energetic, and they help keep your skin from looking aged.
- According to trials, cumin has anticarcinogen properties.Cumin appears to have the capability to keep cancer cells from multiplying.
- Researches have shown that cumin can treat diarrhoea.Cumin and Black Pepper can also help in digestive problems as nausea, bloating and irritable bowel syndrome.
- Cumin may be useful to treat diabetic patients.It also helps body to control high cholesterol levels and overall well being of the heart.
- Cumin has anti inflammatory and anti sceptic properties.It has been seen that cumin reduces the inflammation and pain in the body.
- Cumin may be suitable to help treat Parkinson’s disease because of its contribution to the body’s central nervous system function.
- Cumin has anti microbial and anti fungal properties.Cumin fights bacteria and parasites.Cumin helps to kill harmful bacteria that attacks the immune system.It also acts as immunity booster.
- Cumin seeds are naturally rich in iron.One teaspoon of ground cumin contains 1.4 mg of iron.Iron is an essential element for the formation of hemoglobin in the blood required for transport of oxygen.