Cumin is a spice made from the dried seeds of a plant in the parsley family. It has a warm, earthy, slightly bitter taste and is used in many dishes from the Middle East, India, Latin America, and beyond.
From Old English *cymen*, from Latin *cuminum*, from Greek *kyminon*, all referring to the same spice. The word likely came from ancient Middle Eastern languages along with the plant itself.
If you recognize the flavor of tacos, curry, or falafel, you probably know cumin without knowing its name. It’s one of those quiet global spices that secretly connects very different cuisines around the world.
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