Chemical constituents & Uses of Cumin

Chemical constituents

The strong aromatic smell and warm, bitter taste of Cumin fruits are due to the presence of a volatile oil, cumin aldehyde, which exists in the proportion 2.5 to 4%. It is separated by distillation of the fruit with water. It is limpid and pale yellow in colour, and is mainly a mixture of cymol or cymene and cuminic aldehyde, or cyminol, which is its chief constituent.

The characteristic odor of cumin is caused primarily by aldehydes that are present in the oil.

Culinary Uses

• Cumin is used mainly where highly spiced foods are preferred.
• It features in Indian, Eastern, Middle Eastern, Mexican, Portuguese and Spanish cookery.
• It is an ingredient of most curry powders and many savoury spice mixtures, and is used in stews, grills - especially lamb - and chicken dishes.
• Cumin is a critical ingredient of chili powder, and is found in achiote blends, adobos, garam masala, curry powder, and baharat.
• Cumin is used as a flavoring agent in cheeses, pickles, sausages, soups, stews, stuffing, rice and bean dishes, and liqueurs.
• It gives bite to plain rice, and to beans and cakes.
• Small amounts can be usefully used in aubergine and kidney bean dishes.
• Oil of cumin is used in fragrances.
• Cumin is frequently used in Mexican dishes such as chili con carne, enchiladas with chili sauce and hot tamales.
• In the Middle East, it is a familiar spice for fish dishes, grills and stews and flavours couscous - semolina steamed over meat and vegetables, the national dish of Morocco.
• A refreshing and appetizing Indian drink, zeera pani is made from cumin and tamarind water.

Medicinal Uses

• As a medicinal plant, cumin has been utilized as a stimulant, antispasmodic, carminative and sedative.
• Cumin oil has been reported to have antibacterial activity.
• It is used as a corrective for the flatulency of languid digestion and as a remedy for colic and dyspeptic headache.
• It was recommended as a cure for stitches and pains in the side caused by the sluggish congestion of indolent parts.
• Its principal employment is in veterinary medicine. Bay-salt and Cumin-seeds mixed, is a universal remedy for the diseases of pigeons, especially scabby backs and breasts.