1. Home
  2. Food & Drink
  3. Middle Eastern Food

Cumin

By Saad Fayed, About.com

Arabic Name and Pronunciation: Kamoon, pronunciation is kam-oon
Origin: Cumin is native to Egypt, however it is cultivated in many countries today.
Taste: Cumin is a very strong spice. Use it sparingly. It is tangy and spicy.
Buying Cumin: Cumin can be be purchased in seed form or ground. It can be confused with caraway, but cumin is lighter in color, with a reddish brown color. Seeds must be toasted before grinding to bring out flavor.
Storing Cumin: Cumin in whole or ground form nust be kept in an airtight container in a cool dry place.
Uses: In Middle Eastern cooking, cumin is used in many side dishes, meats, and salads.

Explore Middle Eastern Food

About.com Special Features

Conquering High Cholesterol

Learn how you can reduce your your numbers with these nutrition and exercise tips. More >

Mornings Made Easy

Reclaim the morning and your sanity with these easy recipes, tips, and timesaving ideas. More >

  1. Home
  2. Food & Drink
  3. Middle Eastern Food
  4. Middle Eastern Food 101
  5. Middle Eastern Spices/Herbs
  6. Cumin

©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.

All rights reserved.