Roman Cumin
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Magnoliophyta Class: Magnoliopsida Order: Apiales Family: Apiaceae Genus: Cuminum Species: C. cyminum
Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) (sometimes spelled cummin) is a flowering plant in the family Apiaceae, native from the east Mediterranean to East India. Traditionally, it was pronounced IPA: [ˈkʌmɪn], but [ˈkuːmɪn] and [ˈkjuːmɪn] are increasingly common.
In India cumin is known in as jeera or jira or sometimes zira;
Uses
The flavour of cumin plays a major role in Cuban, Mexican, Thai, Vietnamese, Turkish, Afgan and Indian cuisines. Cumin is a critical ingredient of chili powder, and is found in achiote blends, adobos, sofrito, garam masala, curry powder, and bahaarat.
Cumin seeds are often ground up before being added to dishes.
Cumin seeds are also often toasted by being heated in an ungreased frying pan to help release their essential oils.
Mor info at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cumin