Facts about Cumin

1. 09

   A single teaspoon of cumin seeds contains approximately 8 milligrams of iron, providing roughly 44 percent of the daily recommended iron intake for adult women.

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2. 08

   During the 16th century, Portuguese traders transported cumin from India to Europe, where it became one of the most sought-after spices in Mediterranean cuisine within just 50 years.

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3. 07

   Cumin seeds require temperatures between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius to germinate optimally, making cultivation challenging in cooler climates outside tropical and subtropical regions.

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4. 06

   The cumin plant's tiny fruits contain approximately 7 to 12 percent fat content, making them valuable for extraction of cumin seed oil used in traditional medicine across South Asian cultures.

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5. 05

   Cumin seeds contain thymol, a natural antimicrobial compound that has been shown in studies to inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella.

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6. 04

   Ground cumin loses approximately 50 percent of its flavor potency within 6 months of opening due to volatile oil evaporation.

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7. 03

   Ancient Romans valued cumin so highly that it was sometimes used as currency or tax payment in the Roman Empire.

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8. 02

   Cuminaldehyde, the compound responsible for cumin's distinctive flavor, comprises approximately 30 to 40 percent of the spice's essential oil content.

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9. 01

   India produces approximately 70 percent of the world's cumin supply, with the spice containing about 2 to 8 percent essential oils.

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