From spicy Latin dishes to spicy Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine, cumin knows no boundaries. Although it is a small, simple seed, it has a special flavour that complements a variety of dishes. Cumine is at the heart of many international favourites and is widely enjoyed around the world.
In the Middle East, North Africa and India, it is an essential spice in national dishes such as couscous, baharat, chutney and curries.
Cumin seeds are small, dried fruits that come from the small plant Umbelliferae, which belongs to the same plant family as parsley, carrots, dill and cumin. The plant is native to the Mediterranean region and Egypt.
Since caraway can adapt to both warm and cool climates, it can easily be grown all over the world. India is the largest producer and consumer of cumin spice.
Caraway seeds are light yellow-green in colour and oblong in shape. The seeds are similar to caraway seeds. Not surprisingly, caraway seeds are often confused with cumin because of their strong similarity and similar aroma. The most noticeable difference between the two is that caraway seeds are lighter in colour and covered with very fine, barely visible bristles.
