The seeds may be ground using a mortar and pestle or coffee grinder. Try dry frying the seeds before grinding for extra flavour.

Cumin gives a warm aromatic lemon flavour to meat, fish or egg dishes.

It is well suited for use in flavouring soups and casseroles.

It is used in pasta sauces, Chinese and Thai stir-fry dishes and savoury Indian dishes.

It gives a strong, warm, hot, aromatic flavour and should be used sparingly.

It has a more intense flavour than the coarse ground pepper produced by a domestic pepper grinder.