A spice immediately associated with Indian curries for many, cumin is also an essential flavour in areas as diverse as Mexico and North Africa. Powerful and earthy, toasting the cumin seeds intensify the flavour and brings out a nutty character.

uses: Fry in oil then add dry rice, coat in the oil then cook as normal for authentic jeera rice to accompany a curry. Ground cumin seeds is also suprisingly a useful ingredient in a Mexican-style chilli con carne. Cumin is used in a chilled Indian soft drink, sometimes with tamarind water and also in the caraway-flavoured German spirit kummel.

good with: chilli, rice, lamb, pulses, yoghurt, bread, potato,