CUMIN

Cumin, whose Latin name is Cuminum cyminum, blooms in May-June and ripens in July. Its fruit is angular, oval shaped, 4-5 mm in length. The fruits of cumin, which has a distinctive scent, contain fixed and essential oils, tannins and resin.

Cumin, which is literally a store of iron, is a very rich plant in terms of vitamins and minerals. Cumin seeds contain high levels of calcium, potassium, and magnesium. It is also an ideal source of vitamins A, B12, B6, C and D. Cumin, rich in amino acids, protein and carbohydrates, is a fiber-rich food.

Cultivated in the Aegean and Black Sea regions of Turkey, cumin also has a type called Carum carvi, which is called Frankish cumin. It mostly grows under pine forests. The type that grows in the Mersin / Adana part of the Taurus Mountains is called a ‘sıra’.In the period before Christ, Greeks and Romans used cumin most. So much so that there were special cumin boxes on the dining tables of the Greeks, like our salt and pepper shakers today.They used cumin so much that they described stinginess with the use of cumin. They call a stingy person kyminopristes, which means 'dividing the cumin grain'!

The very special sauce used by the Romans for shellfish; consisted of honey, vinegar, parsley, mint, black pepper and plenty of cumin. Just like black pepper, cumin was a substitute for money and tax payments could be made with cumin.The most important feature of cumin, which is famous for its flavor to meals, is that it is an antispasmodic and degassing agent. It is especially used for digestive problems such as bloating in the stomach, indigestion and loss of appetite. According to its purpose, it is recommended to drink half an hour before meals when it is used as an appetizer and gas extractor, and after meals when used for indigestion.Cumin tea: 1-2 teaspoons of ripe seeds taken from the herbalist are poured into a glass, 1 glass of boiling water is poured over it, and it is infused for 10-15 minutes by covering it. Drink one glass twice a day before morning and evening meals. This tea also improves memory and is effective in treating depression. A cup of cumin tea, drunk a few hours before going to bed, will help you sleep more comfortably.

Other benefits of cumin;

• It increases the appetite and facilitates digestion.
• Removes gas from stomach and intestines
• It is diuretic.
• Stimulates the nerves
• It also has a diaphoretic effect.
• It is good for acne, skin redness and blemishes, skin irritation and sunburn. It revitalizes the skin.