Need a little spice in your life? If so, Cumin might be able to help you out with that. It is the dried seed of the herb Cuminum cyminum, a member of the parsley family, and can grow to be one to two feet tall. Cumin was originally harvested by hand out of Iran, but the market shifted and India, Syria, Pakistan, and Turkey became the chief suppliers of the herb.

Properties of Cumin:

Oblong in shape
Longitudinally ridged
Hotter to the taste
Generally lighter in color, though can come in amber, white or black
Sold as whole or ground
Available year-round

Cumin has the ability to bring out the sweetness in many menu items. Its primary use, of course is to season dishes and give your meal some extra flavor. Cumin is a key ingredient in both Chili Powder and Curry Powder, which is used a lot in Mexican, Thai, Vietnamese, Cuban and Indian cuisines. Many people like to add Cumin to their meat. The taste sort of resembles that of Tex Mex, a powder usually added to Taco meat. It can also be confused with caraway, though the cumin seed is larger

Recipes in which to use Cumin include:

Salsa
Cumin cider
Poached Huevos Rancheros
Black Bean Chili
Red Kidney Bean Soup with Lime Yogurt

Cumin is also said to have medical properties. When used correctly it can supposedly:

Heal mouth sores
Reduce excess saliva
Cure problems in the urinary tract
Clean the bladder and kidneys
Keep the prostate healthy
Reduce problems in the male and female reproductive organs
Act as a natural sleep aid
Help to ready the uterus for labor and makes for an easier delivery
Support the female system during menstruation and menopause
Reduce the symptoms of common cold and sore throat
Regulate bowel function
Promote digestion

As you can see, Cumin has many uses. It is not only useful to have around to give your dishes some zest, but who knows when you'll have a medical need for it when other means of medical attention are not available? Personally, I would stick with the doctor's office and over the counter remedies, but to each his own. However you decide to use Cumin, I'm sure it will not let you down.

Learn more about this author, Kelly A. Mello.
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