JaanYar
Chapter 1 of 13

Cumin

The Essentials

A brass mortar holding a small pile of pale ridged cumin seeds, the pestle resting beside it
Cumin (zireh) is a ribbed straw-coloured seed — ground in a mortar to release its warm scent.

Cumin is Persian medicine's warming digestive, suited to cold, slow, gassy patterns. Modern work points the same way: 3 g a day improved weight, waist and insulin sensitivity in overweight women over eight weeks.

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Read the label carefully. 'Black cumin' usually means Nigella sativa, which is a different seed altogether.

Toast the seed for thirty to sixty seconds before grinding. It multiplies the aroma and takes away the rawness.