Cumin Herb Seeds

Overview

Cumin is grown for its seeds they add the warm & spicy flavours that enhance many a curry, Mexican or Moroccan dish. It is one of the key ingredients used in curry powders & Cajun spice mixes. Can also used as a whole seed in bread & biscuit recipes.

Cumin is part of the parsley family and has fern like leaves with small white flowers. It does need a long season to grow & produce the seeds so it is best to sow early indoors and then transplant out when the risk of frost has passed. It can be sown directly outside when risk of frost has passed but there is a risk of a reduced crop as it needs 3 months of high temperatures to produce the seeds.

The seeds are oval shaped with a ridged shell. They need to be dried and the seed rubbed to release it from the pod. The cumin seeds are then carefully dry roasted in a pan and finally ground with a mortar & pestle into a fine powder. It stores well in an airtight container for a long time.

A great addition to home-made curries & Mexican dishes.

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Seed qty (approx)	300
Sowing months	February, March, April
Site conditions	Sunny, sheltered but well drained.
How to sow	Either sow 2-3 seeds indoors into a small pot 6mm deep and cover with finely sieved compost. Cover & keep at a temperature of 15-18degC. Gently water and seeds should germinate in about 7-14 days. Remove weakest seedlings to leave the strongest one. When large enough carefully plant out (10cm apart) in April/May but give added protection especially until the risk of frost has passed. Indoor sowing first is the more successful method. Or can be sown direct 6mm deep in a pre-watered drill in April, carefully sprinkle seed and when germinated thin out plants to 10cm apart. They will need added protection as may not get enough heat through UK summers to produce cumin seeds.
Care	Keep watered in hot weather
Harvest	Aug-October. When seeds go brown they are ready to harvest.
Information	N/A

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