Cumin is an ancient, aromatic spice native to the Mediteranean and a member of the parsley family. It has a warm, flavoursome and slightly bitter taste and is traditionally added to curries, Mexican dishes and Moroccan lamb dishes.
 
Ground cumin is made by grinding dry roasted cumin seeds. The yellow-brown seeds are small, boat shaped and look a bit like caraway seeds.
 
Cooking with Cumin
 
Cumin has a warm, earthy flavour and is popular ingredient in Mexican and Middle Eastern cuisine. Ground cumin is a component of several spice blends, including garam masala and curry powder. It can also used as part of a rub, in a marinade, and as a seasoning for chilli.
 
Because the flavour of ground cumin is more concentrated than whole cumin seeds, you will need less in a dish. So, if you are substituting in a recipe, use 1 tbsp of ground cumin, instead of 1 ¼ tbsps of cumin seeds.