A staple in every Indian kitchen, cumin seeds or jeera is the most used, much loved and must have spice. In fact, there’s perhaps no Indian recipe that is prepared without the tadka of “jeera” or cumin seeds. These adorable little culinary gems are the most trusted (not-so) secret weapon to enhance the flavours of any food, including drinks. No wonder, India is the biggest producer as well as consumer of cumin seeds.
Table of Contents
- About Cumin
- Jeera water
- Health benefits of Jeera water
- Health Benefits of Cumin Seeds
- Different ways of using cumin seeds
- FAQs on Cumin Seeds
About Cumin
The Cuminum cyminum plant yields the spice known as cumin. It is indigenous to Europe, Africa, and Asia. However, it is used to flavour food all over the world.
Cumin seeds have been used for a very long time; 4,000-year-old ones have been found in both Indian and Egyptian archaeological sites! Cumin seeds have been a staple of local cuisine for millennia and are still widely used as a spice or condiment in Iran, Greece, most of the Mediterranean, and the Indian subcontinent.
Most cumin is purchased as whole dried seeds or as powdered powder. It is a common component in many spice mixtures, including curry powder. In instance, cumin is a common spice in Mexican, Indian, African, and Asian cuisine.
In addition to this, cumin has long been used medicinally in various regions of the world, including Iran and Southeast Asia.
Jeera water
Jeera water demonstrates to be a tried-and-true natural treatment for a number of health issues. To prepare this healthy concoction, add one cup of water and one teaspoon of jeera seeds to a pan and bring to a boil. On an empty stomach, sip warm jeera water in the morning. Jal Jeera, Jeeragam, seeragam thanni, and Jira neeru are the names for jeera water in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, and other languages.
Health benefits of Jeera water
1.Great for digestion :
Jeera water's potent anti-gas ingredients rapidly relieve bloating, acidity, flatulence, belching, and burping while protecting the digestive tract from IBS. Jeera water works well as a natural treatment for all of your digestive issues. It effectively speeds up digestion by promoting the release of digestive enzymes. Additionally, jeera water aids in the digestion of fats by increasing the liver's production of bile acids.
2. Great for respiratory health :
It is strongly advised to drink jeera water to enhance respiratory health. The potent anti congestive property aids in eliminating the chest mucus buildup. The heated nature of jeera water helps to relieve coughing and cold symptoms by helping to dry out all the mucus. Regularly consuming warm jeera water can aid in the treatment of respiratory issues such as a sore throat, cough, and cold.
3.Accelerates weight loss :
The active ingredients increase the breakdown of fat, carbohydrates, and protein by secreting digestive enzymes. The secret to losing weight is having a healthy gut. Additionally, it aids in system detoxification, speeds up metabolism, and burns fat for weight loss.
4.Good for skin :
Manganese, copper, calcium, potassium, selenium, and other vital minerals found in large quantities in jeera water aid to increase skin luminosity and beauty. The abundance of vitamin E slows down skin ageing. Additionally, the strong antimicrobial capabilities prevent acne and promote natural skin radiance.
Health Benefits of Cumin Seeds
Cumin seeds have long been used in traditional medicine to improve digestion, aid in weight loss, manage diabetes, and treat a variety of food-borne illnesses.
1. Helps in diabetes :
For people with diabetes and those who are at risk for developing the disease, cumin seeds may have some health benefits. Several studies indicate that consuming cumin seeds may aid in managing and regulating the hypoglycemic issue. According to a 1995 study, cumin is one of the plants that exhibit hypoglycemic effects, and the study's authors proposed that it might be used to treat and prevent diabetes. Since then, several studies—particularly those conducted in the last ten years—have supported similar conclusions.
2.Rich in magnesium :
One of the best food sources of magnesium is cumin seeds. A mere 100 grammes of cumin seeds provide 366 milligrammes of magnesium, or 92 percent of your daily needs. Evidently, we do not consume cumin as we would the majority of fruits and vegetables, and it is more frequently used as a spice. However, adding merely a few of the seeds to your meal will provide you with a significant amount of magnesium. Magnesium is necessary for the healthy operation of your nerves, muscles, and immune system, as well as for the regulation of blood sugar levels and the health of your skeleton.
3.Anti-inflammatory :
Thymoquinone, a potent molecule present in jeera water, protects the liver from inflammation and fosters liver health. Jeera also aids in reducing stomach pain and cramps. Additionally, jeera water's strong anti-inflammatory properties reduce pain and inflammation brought on by other illnesses.
Different ways of using cumin seeds
Fried :
Fry them in heated oil for a delicious way to release the flavour of cumin seeds. A crucial method in Indian cookery, tempering cumin with other spices is necessary while creating dhal. The cumin will be ready once it has browned and you can smell its earthy aroma, so make sure the oil is heated before adding it.
Toasted :
You can roast cumin seeds on a hot, dry skillet first. This enhances their flavour and gives them a rich, smokey character. Keep the pan moving to prevent burning and don't be scared to get the pan good and hot.
Grind :
Cumin seeds can be ground into a powder after being toasted. This method gives you more control over how fine or coarse the seeds are. To keep the seeds' freshness, it is a good idea to only toast and grind tiny amounts of them at once.
FAQs on Cumin Seeds
Q: Can we eat cumin seeds daily?
A: Yes and even in higher dosages, cumin is usually thought to be very safe and harmless.
Q: Are raw cumin seeds healthy?
A: Yes. You can chew it and reap its numerous benefits.
Q: Can I chew cumin seeds?
A: Chewing cumin seeds after a meal aids in better digestion by encouraging the liver to secrete more bile. This helps minimise acid reflux and diarrhoea.
Q: Is jeera hot or cold for the body?
A: The heated nature of jeera water helps to relieve coughing and cold symptoms by helping to dry out all the mucus. Regularly consuming warm jeera water can aid in the treatment of respiratory issues such as a sore throat, cough, and cold.
Q: Can I drink jeera water at night?
A: Yes, Jeera water can soothe your tummy and improve your sleep.
