Cumin is an essential spice in many cuisines, including Mexican, Indian, and Moroccan. Freshly ground cumin is very pungent and has a sweet, pine-like aroma. It can be dry roasted first to mute its piney notes and bring out a nuttiness.

All about Cumin Seed, Spice

What it’s like, and how to make it

HeatNo heat
CuisineMexican & latin, indian & south & asian, middle & eastern
Best forBraising, saute pan fry, quick weeknight
Goes inTacos burritos, curry dal, rice grains, soups stews, pickling preserving
WithBeef, chicken, lamb, pork, vegetarian, bison
What’s in itcumin seed

How to use it

The base of every taco, every curry, every chili. One tablespoon per pound of ground meat. Bloom in hot oil for 30 seconds before adding onions — this unlocks the deep, earthy warmth. Mix into hummus, sprinkle on roasted sweet potatoes, or stir into black beans.

  • Cumin Seed, Whole spice, shown over a chalk-and-watercolour illustration
  • Illustration: Cumin Seed, Whole with the hills of ancient Judea in the time of Isaiah
  • Illustration: Cumin Seed, Ground with Kayseri in Cappadocia
  • Illustration: Jeera Rice, made with Cumin Seed
  • Illustration: Cuban Black Beans, made with Cumin Seed
  • Illustration of Cumin Seed, Whole in The Tea & Spice Shoppe bag and jar, with the hills of ancient Judea in the time of Isaiah
  • Illustration of Cumin Seed, Ground in The Tea & Spice Shoppe bag and jar, with Kayseri in Cappadocia
  • Cumin Seed - Ground - The Tea & Spice Shoppe
  • Cumin Seed - The Tea & Spice Shoppe

What it goes with

Taco night needs a tea. Brew our Ceylon for a bright, citrusy palate cleanser between bites. For Indian cumin dishes, our Masala Chai is the natural partner — shared warm spice compounds in both.

Where it takes you

Floating Over CappadociaOne sip and you're lost to wonder. Pouring Mint Tea in Fez Seven in the Morning at the Village Oven

Also in these blends

On its own, this is the straight thing. It also goes into these blends, each made for a different evening. Read about Cumin →

Reviews

What the time-travelers say

5.0 from 1 review of this one, and 206 of the shop’s 213 are five stars

Write a review
Cumin Seed, Ground

Good stuff

We use this ground cumin many times a week. It is fresh and has good flavour.

— Jennifer D. Verified

Cumin Seed, Ground

Good stuff

We use this ground cumin many times a week. It is fresh and has good flavour.

— Jennifer D. Verified

Cumin Seed, Ground

Good stuff

We use this ground cumin many times a week. It is fresh and has good flavour.

— Jennifer D. Verified

Cumin Seed, Ground

Good stuff

We use this ground cumin many times a week. It is fresh and has good flavour.

— Jennifer D. Verified

Cumin Seed, Ground

Good stuff

We use this ground cumin many times a week. It is fresh and has good flavour.

— Jennifer D. Verified

Cumin Seed, Ground

Good stuff

We use this ground cumin many times a week. It is fresh and has good flavour.

— Jennifer D. Verified

Jamaican Curry Powder

Great products and great service

I had a slight mix up on my order, they were quick to reply and correct my order with no issues. Amazing service and great…

I had a slight mix up on my order, they were quick to reply and correct my order with no issues. Amazing service and great products.

— Nick C. Verified

Peach White, Organic

Great tea

A lovely, delicate tea. The peach is strong without being overwhelming or cloying, and the calendula is a nice addition. Very…

A lovely, delicate tea. The peach is strong without being overwhelming or cloying, and the calendula is a nice addition. Very tasty!

— Zoe R. Verified

Maple Peach

Maple Peach

The maple peach is delicious. What a beautiful combination. I will most definitely order it again, and a higher quantity of it.

— Gerda S. Verified

Dill Weed

Always handy

I use dillweed often. This dill is fresh and has a nice aroma. I use it in marinades, salad dressings, and on fish. Good stuff.

— Jennifer D. Verified

Detox Tea, Organic

Great stuff

This has helped my household a lot with circulation and alertness when we had it everyday. Will be ordering again soon. Thanks

— Dave G. Verified

Blueberry Bang Rooibos

Love this tea. Hands down my fav rooibos. This store is our one-stop-shop for tea and spice. Great service, top notch product.…

Love this tea. Hands down my fav rooibos. This store is our one-stop-shop for tea and spice. Great service, top notch product. 10/10!!

— Erin Poeta P. Verified

English Breakfast Decaf

Delicious

I love this black tea, it has a really nice smooth flavour and love how it’s Swiss water method decaf. Will be buying again!

— Jessica A. Verified

Toffee Olé

Great flavorful tea

Toffee Ole is one of our favorite teas to share with friends in the evening, when we want something non-caffeinated but quite…

Toffee Ole is one of our favorite teas to share with friends in the evening, when we want something non-caffeinated but quite flavorful.

— Joel R. Verified

Assam Estate CTC BOP

Another full bodied ‘real tea’ . ie It is not a flavoured tea. However, we do very much enjoy the Cafe Latte tea which is a…

Another full bodied ‘real tea’ . ie It is not a flavoured tea. However, we do very much enjoy the Cafe Latte tea which is a flavoured tea!!!

— Ted H. Verified

Ayurvedic Throat Coat

teas

love , love, love and they shipping is very fast. the headache tea works great, the throat coat tea works great as well

— Miranda A. Verified

Ayurvedic Breathe Deep

4 stars

It worked beautifully; perhaps if I add a little more honey, it would make it better… It is a wellness tea, after all!

— Merrilee B. Verified

Bancha, Organic

Bancha with a splash of lemon

A wonderful Green Tea. Smooth in taste. Also suitable as a summer tea with a splash of lemon. A second infusion makes an…

A wonderful Green Tea. Smooth in taste. Also suitable as a summer tea with a splash of lemon. A second infusion makes an enjoyable second cup!

— Monika F. Verified

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Other ways in

Home The front door — what the shop has, how it reaches you, and where a cup can take you, in one scroll. Start here Collections Every shelf in the shop on one page — teas by leaf and flavour, spices by kind and cuisine. Open any shelf to see what is on it. Browse the shelves The Showroom The whole shop on one floor — every tea, spice and blend, filtered by what you are after, with the basket beside you. Open the Showroom Elsewhere Short trips — a place, a moment, a feeling — each with the teas and spices that get you there. Take a trip Ingredients Every plant, seed, bark and salt in the shop on one page — what it is, why it is in the blend, and where it comes from. See them all Local Delivery & Shipping How it reaches you — free Calgary delivery over $60, one flat rate for every province, and what happens if it is wrong. See the rates