Cumin

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

From the time of the Egyptian pharaohs, through the Middle Ages to the present day cumin is one of the most famous spiceswhich are widely used in cooking. Cumin has a very strong smell and a specific intrusive taste, which is extremely suitable for cooking meat dishes. Nowadays, cumin is regularly added to various sausages of minced and minced meat, as well as to homemade sausages and sausages.

It is best to add cumin to them ground or powdered. The taste of cumin can be felt as an ingredient in curry and garam masala, which suggests that cumin is one of the most loved and preferred spices by Indians. Latin Americans and Arabs also have an affinity for the unique taste of cumin.

By its nature cumin is biennial or perennial essential oil plant - wild and cultivated. The Latin name is Cuminum cyminum, and cumin belongs to the family of parsley and carrot - Apiaceae. The root of the cumin is fleshy and has a spindle-shaped mountain. In the second year it reaches 1-2 cm thick and 10-20 cm long. The stem of the cumin is about 20-30 cm high, strongly branched, hollow and has thin longitudinal ribs. The leaves are of the pinnate type.

The flowers of cumin are distinguished by their small size, being white or pale pink in color. The fruit is usually brown, flattened on the sides with longitudinal ribs, some of which have pointed growths, composed of two halves. When ripe, the two halves of the fruit are separated from each other, fastened only in their lower part to the stalk. It is best to use only the ripe fruits of cumin. Once they reach maturity, they fall off very easily and therefore should not be expected to fully mature.

Cumin blooms mainly in May-June. The fruit is ready to be picked as soon as it becomes dark brown in color. Dried cumin seeds have a characteristic, highly aromatic odor and pungent taste. Its chemical content is 3-7% essential oil, 13-16% fatty oil, protein and others.

History of cumin

The popularity of cumin as a spice was known in ancient Egypt. Proof of this are the fruits of cumin found in ancient Egyptian tombs. Cumin seeds are even mentioned in the Bible. Furthermore, during the Roman emperors, cumin was treated both as a spice and as a medicinal plant.

Pliny tells how Nero was deceived by his subject, who for some time swallowed a decoction of cumin, which causes severe pallor of the skin. The tortured, pale appearance of the Roman subject's skin made Nero agree to all his demands.

The homeland of cumin is the lands of Central Asia, but today it is grown mainly in the Mediterranean countries, where it was originally cultivated. The largest cumin plantations are in Morocco, Egypt, India, Syria, North America and Chile.

Composition of cumin

Cumin contains essential oil, proteins, fats, tannins, acetic acid, resinous substances, the flavonoids kaempferol and quercetin. The terrestrial part of the plant also contains kaempferol and quercetin, as well as isoramnetin.

Cooking with cumin

Latin Americans, as well as Arabs, regularly use cumin to season their dishes. Cumin is part of many types of curry and garam masala. It is also used in the sausage industry because it has good preservative properties.

In Bulgaria, cumin is also widely popular. Cumin is often added as a flavoring to pasta. Cumin is a mandatory spice for cooking minced meat dishes, as well as sauerkraut with meat, cabbage with rice, grilled products, salty biscuits and more. Cumin is also used as an ingredient in the preparation of various liqueurs.

Benefits of cumin

Folk medicine has long applied the beneficial effects of cumin on the human body. Cumin has been shown to have gas, choleretic and sedative properties. The beneficial properties of cumin are primarily related to the digestive system.

It stimulates appetite, as well as gastric, pancreatic and bile secretion, while calming spasms and removing gas from the intestines. Cumin can increase breast milk and has an anti-inflammatory effect on the respiratory tract. The essential cumin oil extracted from the plant is a useful tool for strengthening and harmonizing the body's defenses.

Cumin essential oil is quite useful in various allergic conditions. The processes that strengthen the immune system are accompanied by a predisposition to hypersensitivity and allergic attacks. Cumin is a proven remedy for allergies, allergies to dust and pollen, as well as neurodermatitis.

In addition, cumin oil helps lower blood sugar and has bactericidal, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects. Cumin oil also has a beneficial effect on menstrual problems. In addition, cumin seeds contain iron and improve the condition of the liver.

Cumin can support weight loss as it reduces excess body fat. It also regulates the levels of bad cholesterol.

Folk medicine with cumin

Cumin is a recognized folk remedy in problems with the kidneys, liver, intestines and stomach. Cumin decoction also helps with painful constipation. To prepare a healing flock you need a teaspoon of cumin and half a liter of water. After the water boils, add the kimono powder and boil for 2 minutes. The decoction is removed from the stove and left to stand for about 2 hours, then filtered and drunk within 1 day. In case of lung problems, it is recommended to chew whole kimono beans.

Harm from cumin

Cumin has the ability to irritate the glands of the digestive system and to excite the appetite. It is not good to use larger amounts of the spice, because it can cause inflammation of the gastric mucosa. Although it has the ability to remove gas, cumin can cause heartburn in more sensitive people.

The oil contained in kimono seeds is highly volatile, which means that in large quantities it can cause damage to the kidneys and liver.

Pregnant women should definitely avoid cumin and its oil because there is a risk of fetal loss or premature birth.

Cumin also has narcotic properties. Its seeds should be taken with caution as they can cause drowsiness, mental fatigue and nausea.

Large amounts of cumin lower blood sugar levels in the body. This should be taken into account by people who have fluctuations in sugar levels.

Sometimes cumin causes skin rashes and even allergies. People who have more sensitive skin and are prone to allergic reactions should avoid it.

Of course, all these listed negative effects can occur with a very large intake of the spice. Small quantities cumin are harmless and even healthy.