Cumin seed

Cumin seeds or Jeera

Cumin seeds or jeera are used as a spice because of their flavour and aroma. In India, cumin is one of the important spices and it has been used for kormas, masalas, soups and other spiced gravies. It is also used in curry powders, breads, cakes and cheese. Cumin can be used as whole seed or powdered. Cumin is also known as jiraka. Jira means “that which helps digestion”.

Cumin works well in combination with allspice such as anise, brown mustard seed, cardamom, cinnamon, coriander, fennel, fenugreek, garlic, ginger, nutmeg, paprika, turmeric and yellow mustard seed. Roast your cumin seeds before using.

Cumin is not only famous for its flavor, but also for their health benefits. Jeera seeds are rich in Vitamin C and have antifungal properties. It helps in maintaining kidney health, metabolism process, reduces swelling, relieves breathing difficulties, treat joint infections, umbilical hernia, intestinal diseases, eyes problems and toothache.

Name of cumin in different region:

Hindi                Jeera, Zira, Safed Jeera

Kannada           Jeerige

Konkani            Jirem

Malayalam        Jeerakam

Marathi            Jeregire

Tamil               Jeeragam

Telugu              Jidakara, Jikaka

Urdu                 Zeera