Cumin is just starting to be recognized in this country as an important spice -- the rest of the world is way ahead of us in this instance. Cumin has a unique and potent flavor crucial to Indian curries. It's often roasted before grinding, which imparts a toasted, nutty flavor. The aromatic, somewhat bitter, flavor is essential to good chili. Virtually all Mexican meat or bean dishes contain a generous amount of cumin (called "comino" in Mexican recipes) as do foods from many other Latin American countries. Swiss and Dutch countries use cumin seed to flavor certain cheeses, while various European countries flavor breads with cumin.
We obtain the highest oil content cumin we can. The country of origin may vary from India to Pakistan to Turkey. (While Iran usually grows very fine cumin, we face serious trade restrictions there).
If God had intended us to follow recipes, He wouldn't have given us grandmothers.
Linda Henley
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