Home›Dishes›Main Ingredient›CuminIngredientCuminSpices, Herbs and SeasoningsReference and ClassificationVerifiedCumin is the dried seed of a flowering plant native to the Eastern Mediterranean and the Levant, one of the oldest spices in continuous culinary use. Cumin seeds have been found in Egyptian archaeological sites dating back roughly four thousand years and were used both in cooking and, alongside other spices, in the mummification process. The spice is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible and was widely traded across the ancient Mediterranean and Near East. Cumin's warm, earthy flavor became foundational to the cuisines of the Middle East, North Africa, India and, following Spanish colonization, Mexico and parts of Latin America, where it remains a defining spice of many regional dishes. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/FactsCuminConnectionsIn the Other AtlasesSourcesComments (0)Reader Challenges (0)FactsEarliest Documented Use, From (Year)Well-attestedfrom 2000 BCE 1Cumin seeds recovered from ancient Egyptian sites date to roughly 2000 BCE.Origin RegionWell-attestedEastern Mediterranean and the Levant 1CuminFilter Results6 entriesDish FamilyAllMiddle Eastern and North African Rice and Grain Dishes (1)South Asian Rice and Grain Dishes (1)South Asian Roasted, Grilled and Fried Dishes (1)South Asian Stews, Braises and Sauced Dishes (2)Southeast Asian Stews, Braises and Sauced Dishes (1)CuisineAllBengali Cuisine (1)Egyptian Cuisine (1)Indian Cuisine (4)Middle Eastern Cuisine (1)Sri Lankan Cuisine (1)Thai Cuisine (1)Era (Origin Period)All-800 (1)1853 (1)TraditionAllSalt Curing, Smoking and Drying (1)Street Food Culture (1)Format/TypeAllMiddle Eastern and North African Rice and Grain Dishes (1)South Asian Rice and Grain Dishes (1)South Asian Roasted, Grilled and Fried Dishes (1)South Asian Stews, Braises and Sauced Dishes (2)Southeast Asian Stews, Braises and Sauced Dishes (1)CourseAllMain Course (1)Snack or Street Food (1)Soup (1)Dietary SuitabilityAllContains Meat or Poultry (1)Origin RegionAllEgypt (1)India (2)Nepal (1)Thailand (1)The Indian Subcontinent (1)Show ResultsBrowseCompareSelect all 6Baingan BhartaCuminBombay potatoCuminDalCuminDal BhatCuminKosharyCuminRed curryCuminConnectionsUsed ByBaingan Bharta, Dishes Well-attested Source Wikipedia: Baingan bhartaBombay potato, Dishes Well-attested Source Bombay potato (Wikipedia)Dal, Dishes Well-attested Dal Bhat, Dishes Well-attested Source Dal bhat (Wikipedia)Indian Cuisine, Cuisines Well-attested ConnectedCumin is a base spice across Indian regional cuisines.Source Cumin (Wikipedia)tier 2Koshary, Dishes Well-attested Source Koshary (Wikipedia)Mexican Cuisine, Cuisines Well-attested Source Cumin (Wikipedia)tier 2Middle Eastern Cuisine, Cuisines Well-attested ConnectedCumin is native to the Levant and remains a defining Middle Eastern spice.Source Cumin (Wikipedia)tier 2Red curry, Dishes Well-attested Source Red curry (Wikipedia)In the Other AtlasesOriginated InThe LevantAlso in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.Source Cumin (Wikipedia)tier 2Sources1. Cumin (Wikipedia)tier 2WikipediaDescription sectionCumin is the dried seed of the herb Cuminum cyminum, a member of the parsley family.Used By: Indian CuisineUsed By: Middle Eastern CuisineUsed By: Mexican Cuisine, UsesCumin can be an ingredient in chili powder (often Tex-Mex or Mexican-style)View the SourceWikipedia: Baingan bhartaUsed By: Baingan Bharta, Infobox main_ingredient field: Brinjal, onion, tomato, chili, green peas, cilantro, spices (incl. coriander, cumin, garam masala)View the SourceDal bhat (Wikipedia)Used By: Dal Bhat, Infobox food/dish main_ingredient fieldView the SourceRed curry (Wikipedia)Used By: Red curry, Infobox food/dish main_ingredient fieldView the SourceKoshary (Wikipedia)Used By: Koshary, infobox main_ingredient fieldQuote, Used By: Koshary, infobox main_ingredient fieldRice, lentils, macaroni, Vermicelli, tomato sauce, vegetable oil, onions, cumin, corianderView the SourceBombay potato (Wikipedia)Used By: Bombay potato, infobox main_ingredient fieldQuote, Used By: Bombay potato, infobox main_ingredient fieldPotato, cumin, curry, garlic, garam masala, turmeric, mustard seeds, chili powder, salt and pepperView the SourceComments (0)No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.Sign in to join the discussion.Reader Challenges (0)No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.