Pictures of Flowers Cumin Pictures and Cumin Kind

By Pictures of flowers

on February 6, 2009

Pictures of Flowers Cumin Pictures and Cumin Kind

Cumin is a small herb and a flowering plant that is native from East Mediterranean to East India. Cumin is grown for its dried fruit ? cumin seed, which is extensively used as spice and for seasoning. Cumin is an annual plant with a slender branched stem that grows 20-30 cm tall. Leaves are 5-10 cm long and thread-like leaflets. Small white or pink flowers grow in umbels. The fruit is a lateral fusiform or ovoid achene 4-5mm long containing a single seed.

Cumin seeds resemble fennel and anise seeds in appearance but are smaller and little darker in color. Due to its distinctive flavor and strong and pleasant aroma, cumin seeds are very popular in North African, Middle Eastern, Western Chinese, Indian, Cuban and Northern Mexican cuisines. Traditionally, cumin seeds are added to various types of curries, enchiladas, tacos, soups, pickles, sausages, stews, meat dishes and many other Indian, Mexican, Cuban and Middle-Eastern cuisines. Besides its extensive use as essential ingredients in food seasoning and spice, cumin seeds are also used in herbal medicines due to its stimulant and anti-microbial properties.