Cumin is the dried, white fruit with the greyish-brown colour of a small, slender annual herb. The surface of the fruit has 5 primary ridges. The plant is 15 to 50 cm high. The aromatic seed-like fruit is elongated, ovoid, 3 to 6 mm long, slightly bitter and has a warm flavour. The flowers are white or rose-coloured in small umbels.
Cumin seeds have an aromatic odour and bitter taste. It is used as a condiment, an ingredient in curry powders, seasonings of loaves of bread, cakes and cheese. It is employed in native dishes of Central and South America. In medicine, it is used as a stimulant, carminative, stomachic and astringent. Cumin seed oil is used in perfumery and for flavouring liqueurs and cordials.
