Cumin: all about him

Cumin is a herbaceous plant Not only is it very easy to grow, but it also has interesting medicinal properties that we cannot ignore. It is used a lot in the kitchen, but I also recommend that you reserve a space for it in your garden since it will attract pollinating insects such as bees, which will be very useful especially if you intend to create your own garden.

But what is the cumin plant like? What needs do you have? If you want to know everything about him, be sure to read this special 🙂.

Characteristics of cumin

Our protagonist is a herbaceous plant or herb whose scientific name is Cuminum cyminum. Belonging to the botanical family Apiaceae, it is native to the Mediterranean basin. Its life cycle is annual; this means that it germinates, grows, flowers, bears fruit and finally dies in just one season. As a consequence, its growth rate is very fast until it reaches a height of 60 to 90cm.

The leaves are long and very thin, less than 0,5cm wide. Its flowers are grouped in umbel-shaped inflorescences, and can be white or pink. Once it is pollinated, the seed is formed that has a fusiform shape (elongated, ellipsoid and with very narrow ends).

How is it grown?

If you dare to grow cumin, you can do it both in a pot and in the garden. Let's see how to proceed in each case:

Potted

• Location: it has to be in a place where it is in direct sunlight.
• Siembra: the seeds can be sown directly in the pot that you want to have cumin, in spring. It is important that you know that if the container is narrow, about 20cm in diameter, you should not put more than 3 seeds since otherwise they will not grow well.
• Substratum: it is not picky about the land. Even so, when it is grown in a pot it is advisable to use substrates that have good drainage (here you have more information on this topic). Therefore, it is advisable to mix black peat, or even universal substrate, with perlite or any other similar material in equal parts.
• Irrigation: it has to be frequent, but avoiding waterlogging. When in doubt, you should check the moisture of the soil before watering. To do this, you can do several things: insert a thin wooden stick and then see how much dirt has adhered to it (if it comes out practically clean, it will mean that it needs water); use a digital humidity meter, simply by inserting it in different points of the pot; or take the pot once watered and again after a few days.
• Subscriber: throughout the season it is advisable to fertilize it with liquid organic fertilizers, such as guano. Of course, you must follow the instructions specified on the package to avoid the risk of overdose.
• Harvest: in summer-autumn.

In the orchard or garden

• Location: it can be both in full sun and in semi-shade (but it must have a lot of light).
• Siembra: sow the seeds in a field from which you have previously removed the stones and wild grass, in rows, leaving a distance of 15-20cm between them. Cover them with a little dirt to prevent the wind from blowing them away.
• Irrigation: watering has to be frequent, avoiding as much as possible that the soil dries up.
• Subscriber: you can fertilize it with organic fertilizers in powder, such as worm castings or manure. Apply a thin layer, 2-3cm, once a month and you will make it grow healthy and strong.
• Harvest: in summer-autumn.

Uses

Culinary

Cumin is an herb that is mainly used in cooking. The seeds are ground and used as a spice, or they are roasted so that the essential oils give off the characteristic aroma. In Spain it is one of the ingredients of Canarian mojo, Madrid stew and Andalusian gazpacho, among other dishes.

The nutritional value for every 5 grams is as follows:

• Calories: 18,75 kcal.
• Carbohydrates: 2,21 g.
• Proteins: 0,89 g.
• Fat: 1,11 g.
• Fiber: 0,53 g.
• Niacin: 0,23 mg.
• Iron: 3,31 mg.
• Calcium: 46,55 mg.
• Potassium: 89,40 mg.
• Sodium: 8,4 mg.

Medicinal

As we mentioned at the beginning, it has very interesting medicinal properties. In fact, it is carminative, stomachic and sedative. It is very useful in cases of diarrhea, diabetes, nervousness, intestinal parasites, colic, excessive flatulence, or gastrointestinal spasms.

Contraindications

It should not be used under any circumstances if:

• You are pregnant or think you may be.
• You have gastritis, irritable bowel syndrome, or ulcerative colitis.
• In cases of Parkison, epilepsy or other neurological diseases.

Also, children under the age of six cannot take it either.

In case of doubt, it is always better to consult a doctor, especially if you intend to take it in order to improve your health.

The cumin it is a very common herb in the Mediterranean region, and very interesting as we have seen. Very easy to grow, in just a few months we can harvest it to prepare delicious dishes.

Did you know all the secrets of this wonderful plant?