Also called comino , this ancient spice dates back to the
Old Testament. Shaped like a caraway seed, cumin is the
dried fruit of a plant in the parsley family. Its aromatic,
nutty−flavored seeds come in three colors: amber (the
most widely available), white and black (both found in
Asian markets). White cumin seed is interchangeable
with amber, but the black seed has a more complex,
peppery flavor. Cumin is available in seed and ground
forms. As with all seeds, herbs and spices, it should be
stored in a cool, dark place for no more than 6 months.
Cumin is particularly popular in Middle Eastern, Asian
and Mediterranean cooking. Among other things, it's
used to make curries, chili powders and Kummel Liqueur.
