Cumin is widely used in dishes around the world.
Cumin is the seed of a plant called Cuminum Cyminum, a flowering herb in the Parsley family (also known as Apiaceae). It is known as a condiment having an earthy and spicy flavor, which is created by the oil the seeds contain.
Apart from having a unique taste, cumin holds many nutritional values. It is a copious source of fiber, protein, vitamin B and minerals.
9 Ingredients That Can Be Substitutes For Cumin
1. Caraway – A Good Choice For Digestive Health
Caraway is a wonderful choice to substitute for cumin. Why? What is the difference between caraway vs cumin?
Because they are coming from the same family – Apiaceae (or Parsley) – caraway and cumin have many features in common regarding appearance and flavor. Caraway seeds are recommended for possessing a nearly identical spice to cumins.
Caraway is also the top of the list for its abundant healthy substances such as vitamins A and B, fiber, and minerals. Therefore, they can support a lot for you digestive health.
For its mentioned qualities, caraway is an important component in desserts, liquors and many other food and drinks. In the Middle East, caraway is the key ingredient in a type of caraway pudding called Meghli, a popular food consumed during Ramadan.
Tip: It is recommended that you supplement the caraway with anise seeds to add some licorice taste into the dish and to better represent cumin’s flavor.
2. Chili Powder – It Can Help Your Heart
Chili powder can be an appropriate cumin substitute. It is the combination of chili peppers and other spices such as cumin, powdered garlic and onion powder.
The powder is an excellent choice as it resembles cumin’s flavor without having cumin’s bitterness. Another benefit of using chili powder is that it is easily accessible in most grocery stores. Moreover, when entering your body, Chili Powder will dissolve fibrin, which can support to prevent the formation of blood clots.
3. Ground Coriander – A Close Friend
As another option coming from the Apiaceae family – ground coriander. Is coriander the same as cumin? Yes, but not all.
Coriander also has a large number of nutrients such as dietary fiber, calcium, iron and manganese. This flavor mostly represents cumin’s earthy and bitterness, although it cannot be as hot as cumin is.
In India, ground coriander can be roasted to be used as a snack. It also plays a key role in making rasam and sambhar, two famous recipes in southern India. In Europe and Africa, coriander is a popular component of many recipes such as sausages and rye bread.
Note:
- 1 teaspoon of coriander is equivalent to ¾ teaspoon of cumin.
- Since coriander seeds tend to lose their taste quickly and, therefore, should be consumed as soon as possible
4. Chipotle – Manage Diabetes,
This is a type of chili grown and used primarily in Mexican-style dishes. As described in its name – “smoked chili” in Aztecan language (known as Nahuatl) – this condiment delivers a distinctive smoky and spicy flavor.
Although its flavor cannot completely resemble that of cumin, this blend will definitely bring a unique taste to your meal.
Chipotle is usually served in the form of powder. It is the key ingredient in various types of salad. It can also be used in conjunction with other spices to make Adobo – raw food being immersed in a sauce that consists of different blend.
When add the chipotle into your body, it will generate the capsaicin which can manage insulin level in blood. It is definitely help for diabetes persons.
5. Paprika – A Guard For Your Skin
It also called cayenne pepper, is a native Mexican fruit. It is used to make spice and color food such as rice or soup. It is also consumed in conjunction with meat many other spices to produce sausages.
Paprika contain a huge amount of Vitamin C which will prevent the aging effects and protects your skin.
In terms of nutrition, paprika is abundant in calories and alpha-carotene as well as Beta-carotene – provitamin A substances. This nutritional feature makes the spice an excellent choice for people wanting to enhance their eyesight.
We are able to say cumin is a spice that similar to paprika. Although not having an exact flavor like that of cumin, paprika possesses an earthy, smoky taste and, hence, is still a good option to substitute for cumin.
6. Curry Powder – Support For Fighting Cancer
Another choice to use in the absence of cumin is curry powder which is a mixture of different spices. Though the components in it may vary, cumin is always the main ingredient. Other commonly seen spices in curry powder include coriander, mustard, ginger and black pepper.
Curcumin in Curry Powder could can stop some changes from developing into cancer which may help to prevent or treat cancers.
Containing different, curry powder can offer the unique taste and aroma of cumin combined with distinctive features of other components. For this reason, this powder is an ideal cumin substitute.
However, if you are allergy to curry powder, please be careful before using it. It will be harmful to your skin in that case.
7. Garam Masala – Easy To Find On Your Pantry
Coming from India, this mixture is made of many common condiments in this nation. While the components can be different due to regional factors, the typical recipe for Gram Masala includes cardamom, coriander, cinnamon and black pepper.
The Gram Masala is a traditional herb in Indian cuisine. It serves as a component creating flavor for numerous dishes. Some of the conventional meals using Gram Masala as a blend are Rogan Josh, Murgh Kari (a type of chicken curry) and Pulao.
The main benefit of choosing this compound over cumin is that it consists of multiple flavors such as musty, sweet and spicy. The powder also shares the same color as cumin. Therefore, replacing cumin with this mix will not create a notable change in the food’s appearance.
8. Fennel Seeds – A Highly Nutritious Substitution
Fennel seeds are a spice made from a plant called fennel – a member of the parsley family. You might be no stranger to fennel seeds. Because Fennel Seeds is pretty good for anyone with high blood pressure.
Fennel gives the eater a feeling sweeter than cumin because of the strong anise seed. On the other hand, Fennel and cumin is a similar look and some nutrition.
9. Taco Seasoning – Last Choice
Taco Seasoning mix is the last option that we recommend to substitute for cumin in the list. Taco Seasoning almost the same as Chili Powder but it contains a high ratio of salt than others.
So please pay attention to this point if you or your buddies have some history of disease with high blood pressure or diabetes.
