10 July: Cumin

The French Revolutionary Calandar celebrated a different plant, animal or substance each day of the year. On 10 July, it was the day of Cumin. 10 things you might not know about cumin.

1. The Scientific name for cumin is Cuminum cyminum.
2. It belongs to the family Apiaceae, which means it is closely related to Celery, Carrots and Parsley.
3. It is probably native to the Middle East, but today, the biggest producers of cumin are India and China. Spanish and Portuguese colonists introduced it to America.
4. It has been used for thousands of years. It is mentioned in the Bible (Isaiah 28:27 and Matthew 23:23). Cumin seeds have been found by archaeologists in ancient sites in Syria and Egypt. For the Egyptians, it was one of the spices used in mummification.
5. It was used a lot in Ancient Greece and Rome. People in ancient Greece would have a pot of cumin on the dinner table in the same way as we have pots of salt and pepper. In Morocco, they still do.
6. It is used in innumerable recipes and spice blends including chili powder, Leyden cheese, some types of French bread, and a popular drink in India called jira water, which is made by boiling the seeds.
7. Cumin's distinctive flavour and warm aroma come from its essential oil content, in particular the aroma compound, cuminaldehyde.
8. A medieval superstition states that having cumin in the home ensures your Chickens and your lovers won't run away, and carrying cumin on your wedding day ensures a happy marriage.
9. In India it is used as a remedy for Heart disease, fever and digestive problems. However, there is no scientific evidence of its medicinal properties.
10. Cumin seeds are high in monounsaturated fat, protein and dietary fibre. It's also a good source of B vitamins, vitamin E, Iron, magnesium, and manganese.