What is the purpose of Cumin?

Question

So me and my mother were watching the Food Network and we noticed that the chefs all put cumin in everything. So we went out and bought it and, sure enough, it has a strong chili smell, but we tasted it and it was bland, like dirt. I put a liberal amount in the fried chicken I was making and nobody could tell the difference. Is cumin a scam and all the chefs just use it because everybody else does, or does it actually do something?

? · Accepted Answer

It creates a somewhat earthy tone to dishes and balances pepper flavors well. If you could not taste it likely you got some pretty old stuff. Also if you got whole seeds for the application you used it in you should have toasted it to bring out the volatile oils. Once it is ground it loses it's flavor very quickly and definitely is one that age and quality makes a huge difference.

The recipes I use it in are chili con carne, most of my Mexican dishes, spiced breads, it sometimes finds itself in eggs.

JSin

Anonymous · Answer

Actually I love the scent & flavor of cumin.  It is used in Mexican dishes - and I'm not sure what other cuisines.
I've never heard of putting it in fried chicken though.  I would suppose that maybe frying something in grease probably overwhelms the flavor of many things.
You might try looking up some recipes with cumin in them & try those. It is definitely a recognizeable flavor.

Anonymous · Answer

Cumin can be used to season many dishes, either ground or as whole seeds, as it draws out their natural sweetnesses. It is traditionally added to chili, curries, and other Middle-Eastern, Indian, Cuban and Tex-Mex foods. Cumin has also been used on meat in addition to other common seasonings. Contrary to popular belief in the US, the spice is not very common in Mexican cuisine. However, the spice is a familiar taste in Tex-Mex dishes. It is extensively used in the cuisines of the Indian subcontinent. Cumin was also used heavily in ancient Roman cuisine. Cumin is typically used in Mediterranean cooking from Spanish, Italian and Middle Eastern cuisine. It helps to add an earthy and warming feeling to cooking making it a staple in certain stews and soups as well.

Anonymous · Answer

I use cumin all of the time, and it adds alot of flavor to my food. I usually use it for Mexican dishes. I add it to lean ground beef that I browned with chopped onion, and pressed garlic. I also add, lime juice, lemon pepper, and Mexican style Rotel and let it simmer. Then I put that into a salad with some taco sauce and peppercorn ranch. It's a terrific salad and you can really taste the cumin.

Kaleas · Answer

It actually adds a little warmth to dishes. It's commonly used in Mexican food. I use it in my fajitas and chili, along with my african chickpea soup. Ground Cumin is stronger than the seeds. It's not a mind blowing flavor but I know that it's greatly enhanced in a liquid base or when it's toasted.

Anonymous · Answer

Yep, cumin on fish tacos is excellent.

Darlene H · Answer

Well...I've only used it in chili...but I believe there are health benefits as well...good for the digestion..so maybe cooks use it to soothe the stomach for a potentially stomach upsetting dish.

P.S.  Nice to see you're still on the planet.

d

Anonymous · Answer

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Anonymous · Answer

Daniel, Daniel,, Daniel,,,.    I use it in tacos and chili

Daniel R · Answer

I always thought it was how babies are made.

What is the purpose of Cumin?

10 Answers