Cumin Substitutes

Do you have many cumin recipes that you would like to try out on your own?  What if you don’t have the essential ingredients that you would need?

Cumin is one of the most critical spices that you can have in the kitchen.  If you fail to use its distinct taste to spice up your recipes, it would be a shame because if the food that you will serve will undoubtedly taste different.

Despite this, you shouldn’t fret because there are many substitutes that you can use instead of cumin.  You have to find out what those may be and how you can use them effectively.

Fortunately, this article can give you some tips on what those spices are and how you can make sure that it would be able to capture the same taste of cumin even if they have varying compositions.

We will also give you some of the significant benefits that you would get once you have cumin in your recipe.  These health benefits are why you should not hesitate to have cumin in your kitchen.

Why the long wait?  If you would like to learn more, continue reading.  I am sure that you will not regret your decision to do so.

Definition Of Terms

Before discussing the primary substitutes for cumin, you have first to be aware of what this spice is. What is its main constitution? Once you can answer these questions, you can then understand how to find the perfect substitute for cumin among the many possible options which will be discussed later in this article.

Cumin refers to seeds that originated from a plant known as Cuminum Cyminum in scientific terms.

This plant usually grows in Asia and the Mediterranean. Known primarily for its strong aroma, cumin works as a spice for various dishes and is part of the parsley family. If you plan to use this particular ingredient as the spice for your food, you should grind it first to get the full effect.

Cumin is one of the spices known to be in the mixture for curry powder. Curry powder, as will be discussed later on, can also work as a substitute for raw cumin. Would you like to learn more about it? Just continue reading, and you will find out more soon enough.

For now, let us focus on some of the many health benefits that you will get if you start adding cumin to your recipes. Here they are as follows:

Health Benefits Of Cumin

In this section, we will tell you more about the many health benefits that you will get from using cumin as one of your many spices for any food. Hopefully, you will see why more and more people decide to use cumin in any recipe and not some other spices that already have been proven to work.

Below are some of the significant health benefits that can help you understand precisely why you should never neglect cumin as part of your kitchen. Here they are as follows:

A. HELPS IMPROVE DIGESTION

If you’re having problems with your internal bowel movement, it would be best to add a dash of cumin to your regular diet.

Cumin helps activate natural digestive enzymes inside the stomach to help promote smoother digestion in the long run. Smoother digestion will help support regular bowel movements as well for sure.

In addition to this, cumin also promotes the production of bile from the liver which can help digest stomach fats much more effectively. It also helps provide specific nutrients in your stomach which can prevent hyperacidity in the days to come.

Research shows that about 57 patients suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS generally have experienced relief after taking in a high concentration of cumin in their diet for about a couple of weeks.

In short, having cumin in your diet will help digestion through the significant increase and production of the necessary proteins that will reduce the risk of any related digestive conditions such as LBM (Loose Bowel Movement) or IBS.

B. RICH IN IRON

One teaspoon of crushed cumin is equivalent to about 1.4 mg of iron. This amount comprises about 17.5% of the recommended dietary allowance for adults.

If you have issues with any me out or low blood platelets, you should add more iron to your diet by using cumin. You should add this to your children’s menu because it supports growth and development much more than any other type of nutrients known to man.

For women, it also helps replenish lost blood, particularly during the menstrual cycle.

The iron-dense cumin is what you need to increase blood flow and improve the color of your skin. Adding this to your diet can certainly do the trick if you are anemic.

Just make sure to use two men in healthy, small amounts so as not to over-saturate your system. You will maximize that held benefits of cumin by doing this.

C. CUMIN CONTAINS OTHER HEALTHFUL COMPOUNDS FOUND IN PLANTS

Cumin contains a lot of plant compounds that effective antioxidants that can help get rid of free radicals. What are free radicals you ask? These are merely single electrons that when left alone can become very unstable and can cause internal imbalances in the human systems such as clogged arteries which can lead to various types of heart disease.

Antioxidants from cumin can give electrons something to with them off with which can, in turn, make them more stable.

D. CAN HELP WITH DIABETES RELIEF

According to various clinical studies and experts, concentrated amounts of cumin in the diet will help improve diabetes markers in overweight patients. This event means that regulated cumin intake can lower the chances of any patient who is overweight from contracting diabetes from the get-go.

By ingesting cumin regularly, you will help control your blood sugar effectively. However, it is still unclear how much cumin you need to take to do this effectively.

E. PROVIDE BLOOD CHOLESTEROL IMPROVEMENTS

According to various clinical studies, cumin also has dramatically improved blood cholesterol levels in many patients. It helps lower bad cholesterol in a replace it with healthy amounts of good cholesterol which can reduce the risk of heart attacks, especially in children.

A focus group of women took about 3 g of cumin along with yogurt twice a day. They were about 88 in number and showed favorable results in terms of lowered cholesterol levels.

However, it is still not definitive whether the same effect would happen if you take cumin regularly in smaller amounts as a seasoning.

Additional Health Benefits

Other health benefits of cumin include the following:

• Cumin promotes significant weight loss and a decrease in fat
• The spice helps in food poisoning prevention – Cumin helps prevent the severe growth and continuous development of fungi and bacteria in the food, which, in turn, can prevent bacterial infection when you ingest the food.
• Reduces the risk of drug dependency in people
• This particular seasoning also has anti-inflammatory properties.

With all these health benefits, there’s no reason for you not to include cumin in your diet sooner rather than later. It will be a great addition to your kitchen ingredients in the coming days.

More Information

ON NARCOTIC ADDICTION

According to some medical studies, traces of cumin in food may help reduce significant amounts of addictive behavior in those with narcotic addiction. It can also help ease withdrawal symptoms.

Despite the available data, further research still needs to be conducted for this to be taking in as gospel truth. It would be beneficial to consult a doctor before trying to use this particular condiment as part of your homemade rehabilitation remedies for drug addicted individuals.

Based on experimentation, these various amounts of cumin extracts tend to decrease the signs of addiction to narcotics in mice. These claims have not been proven effective as of yet in humans.

ON BACTERIA AND FUNGAL ELEMENTS

As a seasoning, cumin can also be proven effective as the tool to fight various types of bacterial infection as well as fungi and any other related diseases. It would be good to have it is a preventative measure for any food-borne diseases as mentioned earlier.

ON INFLAMMATION

According to some tests, experiments have shown that some spices including cumin help in the inhibition of inflammation and different body parts for various animals.

Other plant compounds are known to do the same as well. Precisely, these plant compounds are known to reduce significant levels of an important inflammation marker known as Kappa B32.

Note that these pieces of information are all derived from the experiment still. The experimental nature of cumin is the reason why further testing is still necessary to prove the efficacy of cumin as a medical herbal compared to other similar spices.

Remember to always think about your safety first before deciding to embark on using cumin and other herbal remedies available in the market. This way, you will not have any regrets about your decision.

Additional Reminders

While it is good to have beneficial uses for cumin when it comes to some medical conditions, you have to be sure that you would be able to consult your medical expert before ingesting anything else. As mentioned in this section, most of the effects of these particular ingredients, notably cumin, hasn’t been scientifically proven yet in terms of overall results.

You would have to be very careful about your intake.

Other Things You Should Know About Cumin

If you are looking for possible recipes to use cumin in, you should stick to spicy foods such as chili, tamales, and different types of Indian curry. If you want to add some Asian flavor to your dishes, do not hesitate to use cumin as a spice for more bite.

This particular condiment has also been used as part of alternative medicine for many years now. If you don’t want to spend too much money on antiseptic medication as well as those that fight off infection effectively, add high concentrations of cumin to your diet, and you will feel the relief that it brings sooner rather than later.

What Should You Look For In Cumin Substitutes?

When trying to find the best cumin substitute, you have to make sure that they have, if not wholly, somewhat similar components such as the earthy, nutty and spicy texture that it will provide the food that you eat.

The substitute should also have similar held benefits that cumin could provide. This way, you will not have to worry about any side effects that might arise from replacing cumin with another spice for the recipe.

Condiment compatibility should also be a factor to consider. The replacement should blend well with the other ingredients for the cumin recipe. Otherwise, it will not taste the same for sure.

Once you find any of these similarities among those available substitutes for cumin, you will not have difficulty finding the one that you are trying to find. Here are possible alternatives that you might want to consider if in case you don’t have cumin in your cupboard at the moment.

Why You Ought To Stick To Cumin?

Some people may ask if they should use as much cumin as possible when trying out new recipes. Well, it’s entirely up to that person cooking. However, you will be able to maximize the benefits that you will get from cumin by just adding a pinch of it to any of the recipes requiring it.

Here are some of the benefits that you will get from cumin not only as a condiment but also as part of your everyday life.

IT WORKS WELL AS ANTIOXIDANTS AND AS PART OF YOUR ANTI-AGING REGIMEN

You will look significantly younger when the cumin starts to get rid of free radicals that can dry up your skin significantly. If you’re looking to save some money on possible antiaging creams, choose this as your alternative.

IMPORTANT REMINDER

There have been reported cases of severe allergic side effects in some patients who use this particular product excessively. You should apply this in moderation if you want to see the best results.

In addition to this, please do not forget to consult your doctor if you ever decide to use this as your base ingredient for any supplement that you will take. There are far more cumin amounts in supplements compared to traditional food. You should ingest cumin as part of your homemade recipe.

THE TASTE

Another benefit that you will get from this particular spice is that it is exceptionally delicious so it will not compromise the quality of your dish by adding this specific ingredient to it.

It would also be best to take it in small doses preferably as part of your recipe in the future. Supplements, especially untested ones can be quite dangerous to your health. You ought to be extremely cautious.

Possible Cumin Substitutes You May Already Have

We all know how helpful cumin can be in terms of providing many health benefits to anyone who eats it. However, what if you don’t have enough supply of it in your kitchen? Are there any substitutes that you can use in place of this particular condiment?

Fortunately, the answer to this question is yes. There are many possible substitutes for cumin. You have to know what to look for and their likely location.

This section will provide you with some of these possible alternatives and help they can help you get that distinctive spicy tastes that everyone loves even without the original ingredient — interested in learning more? Go ahead and continue reading to find out everything that you can.

1. CARAWAY SEEDS

This particular seed is one of the most common replacements that you can have for cumin. It can be an ineffective replacement mainly because it allows the same parsley family as the original ingredient. They have a similar appearance and taste. However, killing is known to have a stronger and much hotter or spicier flavor than caraway.

You will have to add more of the seeds to your recipe if you want to substitute it for cumin. Please do not forget to refer to any additional recipe instructions for more information on possible substitutes and other measurements.

It would also be best free to grind the caraway seeds first before mixing it up with other Indian succeed to gain the full effect.

2. GROUND OR WHOLE CORIANDER

Coriander or cilantro is another member of the parsley family so it could be an adequate substitute for cumin as well. The spice variant is also known as cilantro in some countries. It possesses the earthy lemon-like, flavor of cumin. However, it is not as hot or spicy.

You should use more of the ground coriander seeds for every ¾ of cumin that any recipe calls for if you would like to have something spicier.

Otherwise, it will also be a good alternative for people who don’t like spicy food too much.

If in addition to this, coriander is the very popular substitute in the Mediterranean as well as Indian dishes, so if you are going to search for this condiment and make it a replacement for your meal, it would be best for you to look into the Indian or Mediterranean marketplace.

3. CHILI PEPPER POWDER

In addition to this, if you want to add more spice, you can also have chili pepper powder as a substitute for cumin.

The powder is the mixture of a variety of ingredients including paprika, Cayenne pepper, garlic, and onion powder and of course cumin. It would be an excellent substitute for the latter.

However, you should remember that this mixture already is a bit spicy because of the various ingredients mentioned earlier. So you would have two use ½ Tbsp. of chili powder for one tablespoon of cumin if you would like to use it as a substitute.

This way, you will not end up over spicing your dish. Of course, the procedure above only works unless you like your food to be super-hot and spicy.

4. GARAM MASALA

This Indian based substitute is another option that you can use in case you don’t have cumin in your arsenal of spices. A mixture of different known ingredients hails from India. It has several spices including pepper (black), cinnamon, clove, and a variety of coriander seeds as well as nutmeg.

If you use this substitute, you will get the perfect mix of earthy, sweet, spicy and citrusy flavors all in one dish.

Also, the color of this particular mixture is similar to the original ingredient which is cumin. By using this ingredient, you won’t have to worry about changing the appearance of the mix at all. Adding half of Garam Masala is always an excellent place to start if you are going to use it as a substitute because you can easily add to the mixture to get the taste just right.

5. CURRY POWDER

This condiment is another option that you can use as an alternative. Why? Because although it is a combination of many other ingredients, the main feature of this particular mixture would be the cumin.

Typically, you can expect curry powder to have coriander, turmeric, mustard, pepper, and a variety of seeds that produce a delicious combination of earthy, sweet and spicy flavors that could lend itself to any dish that has this particular mixture.

Please be reminded that if you decide to use this appropriate substitute for cumin, it may end up changing the color of your recipe slightly.

This is because of the turmeric. It has a bright yellow color that may mix in with your recipe. Use half the amount that is called for in the recipe in terms of cumin and add to it whenever necessary. Always remember that it is easier to add than to subtract when it comes to cooking.

6. THE TACO SEASONING MIX

With this alternative, you will get similar ingredients to that of chili powder. Along with cumin, you will be able to have paprika as well as some of the following ingredients and spices:

• Oregano and Red Pepper
• Salt, Garlic and Onion Powder

Be careful about adding this particular ingredient mainly because most of the taco seasoning mixes available in the market already has a fair amount of salt in them. Adding more salt to the mix can alter the taste of your recipe.

Be sure to consult cooking experts and other kitchen websites for information on the proper use of salt in various recipes.

MORE SIGNIFICANT INFORMATION TO PONDER ON

If you are going to work with cumin seeds, it would be best for you to make sure that you grind them as thoroughly as possible. Put them into a coffee grinder or spice mixer first before anything else.

A teaspoon of cumin will be equivalent to about ¾ teaspoons of ground cumin seeds.

7. BLACK CUMIN

This option is another variety of cumin that you can use as a substitute. It works best instead of the original one. It also comes in two other hues as well. (Amber and White)

However, for this section, we will focus on black cumin as a substitute. You will be able to find black cumin in many Indian markets and food stores. The most important thing to remember is that any food substitute should be able to yield the same taste as the original if not something close.

It would be best to have similar ingredients available at your disposal in keys the original cumin is out of stock.

8. CHIPOTLE

Cumin can also be found in this particular spice mixture. It would be ideal to serve as a substitute for the missing ingredient. This specific seasoning is of Mexican origin so it may not be as prominent in American households as other spices on this list.

However, if you indeed love Mexican Food, chances are you already have this in your cupboard. In terms of measurement, there is no exact equivalent of this just yet for Chipotle. It has only gained popularity in American grocery stores.

If you want to use this as a substitute, you would have to start small and then add to it little by little, and so you achieve the right amount for the recipe.

9. THE ANISE SEED

Some people may find it weird that we are recommending this particular seed as a substitute for cumin. The reason for this is that they have incredibly different flavors. However, it still helps to achieve the same taste as cumin by mixing it with caraway seeds.

Anise has a sweet taste that will make you want licorice along with it. You can mix it with caraway for the full effect. However, as we always remind you, it would be best to do this in moderation. Anise can easily defeat and the taste of any other spices that you might add to your dish.

10. PAPRIKA

Some people who are familiar with the steps of spices will tend to disagree with this particular selection mainly because of its similarity in taste. However, if you smoke paprika, it will give off the same taste as cumin.

This combined with the flavoring from the heat will give it a distinct taste and texture. You can maximize this particular taste and feel if you mix it up with chili powder. Why don’t you give it a shot? We’re very sure that you will not regret your decision.

11. TURMERIC

If you love the spice of cumin coupled with the bitter aftertaste, you should not hesitate to include turmeric in the list of possible substitutes for you to try. Aside from having similar flavors, this particular condiment also can provide extremely high iron content.

Having turmeric in your arsenal of spices can be quite a healthy choice. However, be careful to add too much of it because it will alter the physical appearance of your dish because of the bright yellow color.

If you don’t want your dish to look strange, I suggest that you search for another alternative as soon as possible.

12. FENNEL SEEDS

While some experts may still find themselves skeptical about this particular substitute choice, mainly because of the sweet taste that the fennel has, it is known to be an effective alternative to cumin. With fennel, you will be able to cook a lot more fish dishes as well as Italian spaghetti and meatballs.

Another advantage of using this as your alternative to cumin is that you won’t have to use different measurements with this substitute. You can use the original measurements that you had in the recipe for cumin and replace it with this one without having to worry about altering the taste significantly.

13. OREGANO

If you can mix this particular spice with coriander, you will get the best substitute that you can have for cumin. Just make sure that you use ½ tsp. of oregano and coriander as a substitute for the same amount of cumin in your dish.

By doing this, you will not have to worry about altering the taste of your dish significantly.

14. GROUND CUMIN

Ground cumin can be one of the best substitutes for cumin seeds. However, you ought to remember that cumin seeds retain their flavor much longer than the powdered version. So if you want to mix it up and include this in your recipe, get the seed version if you can.

Additional Advice

In terms of storage, the ground cumin seeds should be kept locked in the refrigerator for no longer than six months. Fresh cumin seeds, on the other hand, can be kept in storage for a little over a year.

Despite the issue, it would still be best to cook the seeds right away upon purchase. This way, you will be able to retain its freshness while cooking.

Additionally, you should place it inside an airtight bag to lock in the freshness of the seats whether ground or not.

The Section Summary

The good thing about the substitutes is that most of the health benefits that you will get from cumin would most likely be present in the alternatives mentioned above as well. For example, cumin is known as an excellent antioxidant and something that would help fight infection regularly.

Coriander, as well as Caraway Seeds, can also do this for your body as well as your skin. So you do not have to worry about any unhealthy side effects of using substitution for cumin as often as you want.

Some of these alternatives are also incredibly cheap. So you wouldn’t have to worry about spending too much money to get the right amount of cumin for your recipe. You can opt to get the alternative ingredients and a much lower price.

This event is also the reason why most people choose to stick to alternative condiments rather than getting the original ingredient. They will be able to enjoy the benefits without the hardship of spending much more than they can afford.

With these varied selections, you will undoubtedly find the best alternative for you. All you have to do is to think about what you need exactly, and you will see it on the list in the end. Just be patient enough to pour into our article thoroughly, and you will undoubtedly be able to find what you’re looking for sooner rather than later for sure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will This Particular Condiment Be Good For Weight Loss?

Yes. If you are going to take this in supplement form, the higher dosage will keep you in shape. Cumin will also help improve your blood sugar as well as your digestion.

How Can I Prevent The Cumin Alternatives From Altering The Taste Of My Recipe?

You can easily do this by checking on the measurements of your recipe and finding out its equivalent for the alternative ingredients.  One important note to remember is that some of these ingredients have a strong aroma.

With this in mind, you should place them in moderation so that they will not overpower the original smell and taste of your recipe.

Would It Be Best to Take Cumin as a Supplement for Efficacy?

While both methods of intake (through food; supplemental) can be quite an effective way to ingest cumin, it would still be best to take it organically. Supplements although organic, still tend to become contaminated waves unwanted chemicals and additives to maintain the efficacy of the medication.

To prevent side effects, I would suggest for you to take in cumin as part of your diet.

Is Curry Powder and Cumin the Same?

No. Cumin is an ingredient included in the list of spices that comprise curry powder. (refer above for details) It is one of the most effective alternatives for the seasoning.

The Section Summary

These are just some of the vital ingredients you can use as adequate substitutes for human and cumin. We hope that we have to give you some ideas as to how you can apply them to your recipes as well. Just remember that if you substitute ingredients for others, it may change how the dish with taste in the end.

It is vital that you keep paying attention to the measurements of your ingredients so that you wouldn’t have difficulty trying to figure out how much substitution you should be doing to get the taste just right.

More Things To Ponder On When Preparing Cumin Dishes

CHECK THE VIABILITY OF YOUR SPICES

Before availing any of these ingredients, you ought to consider the viability of any of the substitutes before using them. It would be best to use cumin and any of these substitutes as mentioned earlier fresh. This way, you will be able to retain any nutritional value that could be found in the food even if you cook it.

COOK YOUR DISHES WELL

Also, make sure to cook all food items well before serving them. Doing this will help you kill any bacteria that might have found itself on to the spices and the food down the line.

MAKE YOUR SAFETY A PRIORITY

Always keep your safety and health in mind before ingesting any food or spice. Being careful about what you eat is the only way for you to be safe from food-borne infections as well as related diseases in the future.

DO YOUR RESEARCH

It would also help you to read articles on any newfound research regarding food-borne bacteria. You should keep yourself aware not only for your protection but for the protection of your family and the people that you know and love.

You will be able to educate them regarding the foods they should avoid and what they should eat to become healthier.

If you can do this, then everything else will surely follow suit. You will be able to protect yourself as well as others from any of the harmful bacteria that might affect your health adversely through the food that you eat.

Final Words

You will get to help others by sharing these unique pieces of knowledge regarding cumin substitutes as soon as possible. You will never regret your decision to do so in the end for sure. Why should you wait? Go ahead and get some of these alternative ingredients now before it’s too late!

It will be one of the best decisions that you will have made in your life to add them to your apothecary of ingredients sooner rather than later.

Doing this will also help you discover a new way to cook traditional recipes. Adding just a few of these cumin alternatives to your age-old recipes will be an improvement. Give it a try. There is no harm right in trying as they say. Why shouldn’t you?

Do not be afraid to experiment. Why? Because this is the only way for you to learn and improve as an individual. You can also harness the knowledge that you gained here to future generations, so you should not be afraid about trying something new every single day.

Your family will also be grateful to you for doing this in the end.