388 SPICES 



CHAP. XII 



Cumin seed was well known to the ancients, and is 

 mentioned by Isaiah. It is exported to Europe from 

 Morocco, Sicily, Bombay, and Calcutta. 



It is cultivated in India in the same way as 

 coriander and dill, as a field crop. 



It is used, as above stated, as an ingredient in curry, 

 and also to a certain extent in native medicine. It 

 seems to have gone out of European medicine, being 

 replaced by caraway seed, which has a more agreeable 

 flavour. The oil has an aromatic, bug-like taste. East 

 Indian cumin gives 3 to 3*5 per cent on distillation. 



