Cumin is the dried seed of the herb Cuminum cyminum , a small annual flowering plant in the parsley family (Apiaceae). The plant grows 20–50 cm tall and produces small, boat-shaped seeds that are yellow-brown with longitudinal ridges

. Cumin seeds are widely used as a spice in many cuisines worldwide, including Latin American, Middle Eastern, African, Indian, and Mediterranean cooking. The seeds are used whole or ground into a powder, which has a warm, earthy, and slightly smoky flavor. Cumin is a key ingredient in spice blends such as chili powder, garam masala, curry powder, and various regional spice mixes

. Though cumin is sometimes confused with caraway or black cumin (which come from different plants), true cumin seeds are distinct and valued for their unique aroma and taste

. In addition to culinary uses, cumin has been used in traditional medicine, but there is no high-quality scientific evidence confirming its safety or effectiveness for health treatments

. In summary, cumin is a popular aromatic spice derived from the dried seeds of the Cuminum cyminum plant, essential in many global cuisines for its distinctive flavor