Jeera or cumin seeds are another of those wonder seeds. Folklore has it that in the Middle Ages, cumin kept chickens and lovers from wandering. Another tale is that if the bride and groom carried cumin seeds throughout the wedding ceremony, they would be blest with a long and happy married life. Cumin, which is the dried fruit of a small herbaceous plant, was popular as far back as Biblical times. It was a good digestive and was used as a food flavour in ceremonial feasts. Even today, instead of drinking ordinary water, at ceremonial feasts, hot jeera/cumin water is drunk.
The cumin seeds are boiled in water and allowed to infuse. This hot water is then served at the meal. The idea being that a ceremonial meal is a very rich meal and willtax the digestive system. Therefore, this jeera water is drunk to aid in digestion. In summer, jeera/cumin water when drunk has a cooling effect. Toasted cumin seeds when boiled make a tea which is used to soothe acute stomach disorders. Cumin has a very strong flavour, quite similar to caraway seeds. The cumin plant is 15 to 50 cms high.
The Botanical name is Cuminum cyminum L, and it belongs to the Apiaceae family. The seed itself is a dried white fruit with a greyish brown colour. The seed is very aromatic and is 3 to 6 mm in length. Northern Egypt, Syria, the Mediterranean region, Iran and India are home to the cumin. Mexico, China, Sicily and Malta cultivate this condiment.
The cumin is a tropical plant. It needs well-drained, sandy loamy soil and a sunny environment to grow in. It is used in the seasoning of breads, cakes and cheese. Cumin seed oil is used in perfumery, and for flavouring liqueurs and cordials. Cumin seeds when added to hot milk help in the treatment of the common cold. The oil cake made after the oil is distilled from the cumin seeds is used as cattle fodder. Cumin flowers yield a lot of nectar, thus we can be assured of honey. Cumin honey is thick and viscous.
It contains high quantities of iron and has a high percentage of unsaturated sugar. It also has a very attractive aroma. It is believed that cumin seeds may have anti-carcinogenic properties. In one laboratory study, it was seen that cumin protected the laboratory animals from developing stomach or liver tumours. This could be because cumin has the ability to absorb free radicals that might be roaming around in the system. Cumin enhances the liver's detoxification enzymes. This is what makes it so health-friendly.
Jeera or cumin seeds are another of those wonder seeds. Folklore has it that in the Middle Ages, cumin kept chickens and lovers from wandering. Another tale is that if the bride and groom carried cumin seeds throughout the wedding ceremony, they would be blest with a long and happy married life. Cumin, which is the dried fruit of a small herbaceous plant, was popular as far back as Biblical times. It was a good digestive and was used as a food flavour in ceremonial feasts. Even today, instead of drinking ordinary water, at ceremonial feasts, hot jeera/cumin water is drunk.
