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. 
