BT-063 · Apiaceae

Cumin

Cuminum cyminum
Evidence: LimitedGenerally safe

Türkiye is one of the world’s leading cumin producers; much of it comes from Konya, Afyonkarahisar and Burdur.

Other names
Comino, kimyon (Turkish)
Part used
Seeds (fruit)
Region
Anatolia and the Mediterranean
Andes
Use
Food, Healing
Cumin (Cuminum cyminum): dried seeds
Photo: Sanjay Acharya · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
In short

What is Cumin?

Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) is a plant of the Apiaceae family. Traditions that use it: Anatolia and the Mediterranean, Andes. Part used: seeds (fruit).

What is Cumin used for?

Traditional use: The spice of köfte, sucuk and dried-bean dishes. Scientific evidence: limited. Contains cuminaldehyde.

Is Cumin safe?

Safety label: generally safe. Safe as a spice.

Traditional use

Anatolia

The spice of köfte, sucuk and dried-bean dishes. The seeds are brewed for gas and indigestion.

Andes

Arriving with the Spanish, comino became a basic spice of Peruvian cooking.

In nature

Where it grows
A crop plant, sown in Central and western Anatolia.
Harvest season
Seeds are harvested June–July.
Local names
kimyon, kemmun, acı kimyon

Mix-up risk

Can be confused with caraway (Carum carvi) and black seed; cumin seeds are longer and paler.

Preparation

Seeds are roasted and ground, or steeped.

What science says

Contains cuminaldehyde. There are small studies on irritable bowel and weight management; the evidence is weak.

Safety

Generally safe

Safe as a spice.

Similar plants

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica): hairy toothed leaves and hanging flower clusters
BT-004

Stinging nettle

Urtica dioica
Urticaceae
Evidence: LimitedGenerally safe
Common mallow (Malva sylvestris): pink flowers with purple stripes
BT-011

Common mallow

Malva sylvestris
Malvaceae
Evidence: TraditionalGenerally safe
Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus): stems with pale purple flowers
BT-013

Rosemary

Salvia rosmarinus
Lamiaceae
Evidence: TraditionalGenerally safe

Sources

  1. ResearchThe effects of Cuminum cyminum on glycemic parameters: A systematic review and meta-analysis
  2. ResearchKimyonun kan şekeri üzerindeki etkileri: kontrollü çalışmaların meta-analizi
  3. BookBaytop T. Türkiye’de Bitkiler ile Tedavi: Geçmişte ve Bugün. 2. baskı. İstanbul: Nobel Tıp Kitabevleri; 1999.
  4. Botanical recordKew Plants of the World Online: Cuminum cyminum
  5. Titles of research sources are summarised in Turkish on the Turkish page; links open the original English publications.

Written by Edanaz Tınmazlar · Last reviewed: · Türkçe

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