Cuminum cyminum (Cumin) is an annual herb that is widely used around the world as a culinary spice. Cumin is larger, lighter in colour and is a little bit hotter than its cousins, Parsley and Dill. The seeds are a rich source of Iron, Calcium and Magnesium and is made into an essential oil. Cumin is easy to grow and from seed to harvest takes between 100-120 days. Also known as Roman Caraway as some European languages don’t have a term for Cumin. Growth Cuminum cyminum is an annual herb that grows to a short height of around 30 cm (1 foot). The plant is self fertile and enjoys temperatures between 25-30 °C (77-86 °F). Optimum germinate temperatures have been found to be between 15-20 °C (59-68 °F). In cooler climates seeds are sown later in the growing season (late spring/early summer) which results in an early autumn harvest. Flowering occurs during summer and produces small clusters of flowers and the end of long stems. Cumin is vulnerable to frosts which can completely wipe out a crop overnight. Seeds are ready for harvesting when the pods have turned brown. FAMILY: Apiaceae CLIMATE: Temperate to Tropical TEMPERATURE RANGE: 15 to 40°C / 59 to 104°F SOIL TYPE: Well draining soil. LOCATION: Full sun. HEIGHT: Up to 30 cm’s (1 foot) WIDTH: Up to 15 cm’s (6 inches) pH: 7.0-8.0 GROWTH TYPE: Annual WATER REQUIREMENTS: Light POLLINATION: Pollinated by insects, self fertile MATURITY: Average 100-120 days for seed. GERMINATION RATES: 80-90% GERMINATION TIME: 7-14 days SEEDS PER GRAM: Approximately 300 MEDICINAL QUALITIES: Yes WEED POTENTIAL: No FACTS ABOUT CUMINUM CYMINUM (Cumin) Cuminum cyminum is a rich source of Iron, Magnesium, Calcium and Manganese. Some of the medicinal uses of Cumin seeds include a treatment for minor digestive conditions, coughs and rotten teeth. Another report grounded the seeds into a powder and mixed it with onion juice as a treatment for scorpion stings. Cumin is seldom used in Western herbal medicine, having been superseded by Caraway which has a more pleasant aroma.
