Cumin or Sabut Jeera is a flowering plant member of the parsley family. Native to the Middle East and stretching east to India Cumin has been in use for thousands of years. It is very popular in Asian North African and Latin American cuisines. India itself produces 70% of the world's supply and consumes 90% of that. It has a very distinct taste strong and citrusy due to its essential oil component and aroma compound. In India it is a traditional ingredient in innumerable recipes and forms the basis of various spice blends. It can be used ground or whole in spiced gravies certain stews soups pickles etc.