Cumin Seeds Cuminum cyminum 600 Seeds Free Shipping!
The young leaves of cumin are a delicious addition to salads, while its spicy seeds are a popular spice that enhances the flavor of your dishes. This herb thrives in warm climates, showcasing dill-like leaves and small pink flowers.
Although cumin is an ancient spice that originated in Egypt and the Mediterranean, it has found its way into the specialty cuisines of almost every country, especially in Mexican and Indian cooking. In medieval Europe, it was a favored spice and symbolized love and loyalty, with soldiers' wives often sending them off to war with a loaf of cumin bread. A blend of cumin, pepper, and honey can create a traditional Arabic love potion or add a burst of flavor to your main dish. Cumin seeds are rich in essential minerals like iron, manganese, calcium, and magnesium. Infusions made from cumin seeds have been used to alleviate digestive issues, congestion, and fever; additionally, cumin essential oil possesses valuable antiseptic and antibacterial qualities, making it beneficial for skin conditions.
Latin Name: Cuminum cyminum
Species Origin: Mediterranean, Southeast Asia
Type: Open Pollinated, Heirloom, Warm Season
Life Cycle: Annual
USDA Zones: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12
Seeds per Ounce: 10,000
Planting Method: Direct Sow
Sunlight: Full Sun
Height: 12 Inches
Color: Green
Bloom Season: Blooms Early Fall, Blooms Late Fall
Uses: Aromatic
Sowing: To kick off your plants indoors, start by putting the seeds in peat pots about 4-6 weeks before the last frost of spring; make sure they get some sun or warmth. For better germination, soak the seeds for 8 hours before you plant them. You should see them sprout in 7-14 days. After the last frost, when the soil is warm, you can either transplant or sow directly about a week later. Cumin thrives in well-drained, fertile soil and loves full sun. Plant the seeds 1/4" deep and 4" apart in rows that are 18" apart, and thin the seedlings to 8" apart once they start to grow leaves.
Growing: Make sure to water your cumin plants regularly, but let the soil dry out between waterings. Keep an eye on weeds, and be on the lookout for pests like aphids.
Harvesting: Pick fresh cumin leaves whenever you need them. To gather the seeds, let the pods ripen and turn brown; then collect the clusters and let them dry away from direct sunlight. Gently rub them to get the seeds out, and store them in an airtight container.
Seed Saving: Let the seed pods ripen and turn brown, then take them off one by one and lay them out to dry. Another way is to cut the whole plant when most of the pods are ripe, then hang it upside down to dry with a bag tied over the heads to catch any falling seeds. Once the pods are completely dry, rub them gently to release the seeds. Keep the seeds in an airtight container in a cool, dry spot.
