Jeffrey Salazar
Cumin, also known as 'jeera' in the Indian subcontinent, is an ancient seed that has been prized for more than 3000 years. It has been used in Ayurveda to treat a host of health disorders, including burning excess fat, constipation, and indigestion. Cumin seeds are considered more potent than cumin powder, and you can take a spoonful of roasted or plain cumin seeds every day. However, some people may find the flavour of raw cumin powder to be overpowering, especially in large quantities. As such, it is recommended to pan-fry the cumin for a few seconds or add cinnamon to balance out the flavour.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Weight loss | Cumin powder can help with weight loss, decrease body fat, and improve unhealthy cholesterol levels. |
| Detoxification | Cumin seeds are used in Ayurveda to remove fatty toxins that stick to cells and disrupt cell metabolism, resulting in weight gain. |
| Sleep | Cumin seeds can cure insomnia and regulate sleep patterns and metabolism. |
| Cholesterol | Black cumin is rich in phytosterols, which limit cholesterol absorption in the body. |
| Usage | Cumin can be used in roasted chickpeas or nuts, lentil stews, or swirled into yogurt. |
| Dosage | Dosages vary, with some recommending 1 teaspoon, while others suggest 1 tablespoon (6 grams). |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Cumin in roasted chickpeas or nuts
Cumin is a versatile spice that can be added to a variety of dishes to enhance flavour and provide several health benefits. Here are some ways to incorporate cumin into your diet through roasted chickpeas or nuts:
Roasted Cumin Chickpeas
Roasted cumin chickpeas make for a delicious and nutritious snack. To make them, start by draining and rinsing a 400g tin of chickpeas. Dry the chickpeas with a clean tea towel or kitchen roll. Preheat your oven to 375°F (191°C or 171°C fan). In a bowl, mix the chickpeas with olive oil, cumin seeds, cumin powder, crushed garlic, and a pinch of salt. Spread the spiced chickpeas on a baking tray and roast them in the oven for 20-40 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. You can adjust the amount of cumin to suit your taste, but a ratio of 1 teaspoon of ground cumin and 1.5 teaspoons of cumin seeds for every 400g of chickpeas is a good starting point.
Cumin-Lime Roasted Chickpeas
For a flavourful twist, try adding lime to your roasted cumin chickpeas. Start by cooking the chickpeas, then heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add sliced onions and sauté until they are translucent. Toss in garlic and sliced serrano chile, cooking for an additional 2-3 minutes. Next, add curry powder, turmeric, and cumin to the pot and stir for 30 seconds. Pour in water or chickpea cooking liquid and add the cooked chickpeas. Cover and simmer on low heat for 5 minutes. Remove the lid, add salt, and simmer uncovered for an additional 20 minutes. Finally, stir in chopped cilantro and serve with brown rice or quinoa for extra plant-based protein.
Cumin-Roasted Nuts
Cumin-roasted nuts are another tasty way to incorporate cumin into your diet. Preheat your oven to 350°F and line two baking sheets with parchment paper. Warm peanut oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat and add thinly sliced garlic cloves, sautéing until they start to brown. Remove from heat and stir in a mixture of nuts and seeds, coating them well with the oil. In a separate bowl, combine maple syrup, cumin, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, allspice, and salt. Add the nuts and seeds to this mixture, stirring to ensure they are well coated. Spread the spiced nuts and seeds in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets and bake for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven, stir, and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until they are fragrant and lightly browned. Allow them to cool and crisp up before serving.
Health Benefits of Cumin
Adding cumin to your diet through roasted chickpeas or nuts can offer several health benefits. Cumin is an excellent source of fibre and antioxidants, and it has anti-flatulent properties. It can aid in weight loss, lower cholesterol, and improve sleep quality. Cumin is also used in Ayurveda as a detoxifier to remove fatty toxins from the body, which can help regulate metabolism and prevent weight gain. Incorporating just 1 tablespoon of cumin seeds or powder into your daily diet can provide these benefits and more.
Magnesium-Rich Diets: Essential for Pregnant Women's Health
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cumin in lentil stews
Lentil stews are hearty, healthy, and easy to make. They are loaded with vegetables, spices, and fresh herbs. To make a lentil stew with cumin, start by washing and sorting lentils, then covering them with water to soak for about 10 minutes. Drain the lentils and set them aside. In a large pot, heat some olive oil and add diced onions, carrots, celery, and potatoes. Cook this mixture for about 5 minutes, stirring regularly. Next, add the garlic and zucchini, and sauté for another 5 minutes. Now, add the lentils, spices including cumin, and other seasonings such as salt, pepper, coriander, turmeric, and cinnamon. Give it a good toss, and then add water or broth, and tomatoes.
Let the stew simmer for about 20 minutes. Before serving, stir in some fresh parsley and a squeeze of lemon or lime juice. You can also add a drizzle of olive oil to enhance the flavour and make the stew richer.
Some people like to pan-fry the cumin for a few seconds before adding it to the stew, although this may reduce some of the health benefits of the spice. You can also experiment with different types of lentils, such as French green lentils, to find the variety you prefer.
Meat Quality: The Impact of Diet
You may want to see also
Explore related products
![NatureWise Curcumin Turmeric 2250mg - 95% Curcuminoids & BioPerine Black Pepper Extract for Advanced Absorption - Daily Joint and Immune Health Support - Vegan, Non-GMO, 90 Count[30-Day Supply]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/713IN+G+7nL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Cumin in yoghurt
To make cumin yoghurt, you can use either ground cumin or cumin seeds. Toasting the seeds and grinding them yourself will make the dip extra special, but store-bought ground cumin will also work. You can also add some toasted cumin seeds on top of the yoghurt as a garnish. The yoghurt should be plain, unflavoured, and unsweetened.
To make a cumin yoghurt dip, mix the yoghurt with ground cumin, salt, and cayenne. You can also add sour cream and garlic to taste. Cover and chill for at least an hour to allow the flavours to blend. This dip is perfect for crudites (raw vegetables) such as carrots, celery, radishes, and broccoli.
You can also make a yoghurt drink with cumin. Whisk the yoghurt with water until smooth, then add ground cumin, chile, ginger, and salt. To make the tadka, heat ghee in a pan and add cumin seeds. When the cumin becomes aromatic, add garlic, then chilli. Fry until the chilli darkens, then pour over each portion of the yoghurt drink. Garnish with chopped mint and cilantro.
Cumin yoghurt is not only tasty but also has health benefits. Research has shown that cumin can aid weight loss, decrease body fat, and improve unhealthy cholesterol levels.
Best Cooking Oils for a Renal Diet
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cumin tea
To make cumin tea, you will need whole cumin seeds, which can be easily found at any grocery store or online. You will also need water and a sweetener of your choice, such as honey, maple syrup, or sugar. Here is a simple recipe for cumin tea:
- Add 2 cups of water to a saucepan and bring it to a boil over medium-high heat.
- Once the water has boiled, reduce the heat to low.
- Add 1 tablespoon of cumin seeds to the pan and stir well.
- Let the mixture simmer for about 5 minutes.
- Strain the mixture into serving cups using a tea strainer.
- Add sweetener to taste and stir well.
- Serve hot.
If you prefer chilled tea, simply let the tea cool down slightly and then pour it over ice. You can also add other spices such as ground ginger, cardamom, or a pinch of ground cinnamon to enhance the flavor of the tea.
It is important to note that while cumin tea has many potential health benefits, excessive consumption may lead to adverse effects. Additionally, it is always recommended to consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating any new substance into your diet, especially if you have any health conditions.
Dr Pepper Taste Test: Texas vs. Everywhere Else
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Cumin in hash with eggs
Cumin is a spice that has been prized for its health benefits for over 3000 years. It is an excellent source of fibre, antioxidants, and anti-flatulent properties. It can help cure constipation, bloating, and insomnia, and regulate metabolism and cholesterol levels.
Ingredients:
- 1 lb yukon gold potatoes, cut in a medium dice
- 1 lb carrots, peeled and cut into a medium dice
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 med yellow onion, chopped
- 1 jalapeño pepper or serrano chile, sliced
- 8 oz kale, stemmed and torn into bite-sized pieces
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 8 lg eggs
- 1 ripe avocado, diced
- ½ c water
- ¼ c fresh lemon juice
- Fresh dill, for serving
Method:
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Place potatoes and carrots in a large straight-sided skillet and cover with water. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat and cook until almost tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
- Heat oil over medium-high heat in the skillet. Add onion and jalapeño, and cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
- Add the potatoes and carrots back into the skillet and cook until tender, about 2 minutes.
- Stir in the kale, cumin, salt, and pepper, and cook until the kale is wilted, about 2 minutes.
- With a large spoon, make 4 indentations in the hash mixture and place 2 eggs in each indentation. Bake until the eggs are set, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- While the eggs bake, combine avocado, water, lemon juice, salt, and pepper in a blender and puree until smooth. Add more water as needed until the mixture has a sauce-like consistency.
- Serve the eggs and hash topped with the avocado sauce and fresh dill.
This recipe includes 1 teaspoon of cumin, but you can add more to suit your taste. Enjoy!
Herpes Outbreaks: Can Diet Influence Frequency and Severity?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Cumin has been prized for over 3000 years and is considered an effective detoxifier. It has been proven to lower cholesterol, aid weight loss, and cure insomnia.
You can take a spoon of roasted or plain cumin seeds every day.
You can sprinkle ground cumin into a batch of roasted chickpeas or nuts. You can also add it to lentil stews or yoghurt dips.
Taking a tablespoon of cumin seeds every day has been proven to lower cholesterol by up to 10% and bad cholesterol by up to 14%. It also lowers blood sugar levels and regulates metabolism.
Some people find that large quantities of cumin make their food taste bitter. It can also negatively affect those with issues relating to blood clotting and heartburn.
