Cumin is a spice with a warm, earthy flavor that's essential in many cuisines around the world. The small, ridged seeds come from a flowering plant related to parsley, and they're used whole or ground into powder. If you've ever eaten tacos, curry, or chili, you've probably tasted cumin. It gives these dishes their distinctive savory depth.

The spice originated in the Mediterranean and Middle East thousands of years ago. Ancient Egyptians used it in cooking and medicine, and it was valuable enough that people sometimes paid taxes with it. Today, cumin is a staple in Mexican, Indian, Middle Eastern, and North African cooking.

When you cook with cumin seeds, heating them in a pan releases their aromatic oils and intensifies their flavor. Ground cumin is convenient, but whole seeds stay fresher longer. The taste is slightly bitter and peppery, with a warmth that's completely different from spicy heat, more like the cozy, complex flavor that makes you want another bite.