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INTRODUCTION
The dried fruit of a small herbaceous plant,
cumin was quite popular even during the Biblical times as an efficient digestive
and as a food flavour for ceremonial feasting. Though native to Egypt and
the Mediterranean, cumin is now mostly produced in India.
Cumin has an intensely strong flavour, much
similar to caraway. Indian cumin finds world-wide use in foods, beverages,
liquors, medicines, toiletries and perfumery. The spice is of particular
value in the blending of Indian curry powder. Indian cumin grows abundantly
in the mild, equable climate of Gujarat, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh where
rich, well-drained, sandy, loamy soil and the sunny, conducive environment
are available. The quality is better by the organic cultivation adopted
by Indian farmers.
Indian cumin is exported in its natural as
well as powdered form, besides as essential oil. Exports are mostly to USA,
Singapore, Japan, UK and North Africa.
BOTANICAL NAME
Cuminum cyminum L.
FAMILY NAME
Apiaceae
NAME IN INTERNATIONAL
LANGUAGES
| Spanish : |
Comino |
| French : |
Cumin |
| German : |
Romischer Kummel |
| Swedish : |
Spiskummin |
| Arabic : |
Kammun |
| Dutch : |
Komijn |
| Italian : |
Comino |
| Portuguese : |
Cominho |
| Russian : |
Kmin |
| Chinese : |
Machin |
COMMERCIAL PART
Fruit
GRADE SPECIFICATIONS
Grade designations and
definition of quality of Cumin seeds (Whole)
| Special characteristics |
| Grade designation |
Extraneous matter percentage by weight (max) |
Other seeds percentage by weight (max.) |
'Jeeralu ' content percent by wt. (max.) |
Damaged and discoloured and weeviled seeds percent
by wt. (max.) |
Shrivelled and immature seeds percent by wt.
(max.) |
| Cumin Special |
1.5 |
0.5 |
1.0 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
General characteristics:
- Cumin seeds shall be dried fruit of the
plant Cuminum Cyminum.L.
- They shall have the taste and aroma normal
to the species
- They shall be reasonably dry with moisture
not exceeding 10 %
- They shall be free from visible mould or
insect infestation and musty odour. They shall also be free from any harmful
foreign matter.
Definition:
Extraneous matter includes dirt, dust, stone,
pieces, stalks, stem or any other impurity. Other seeds include seeds other
than that of Cumin. Damaged and discoloured seeds are those seeds that are
internally damaged and discoloured, the damage and discolouration materially
affecting the quality. Weevilled seeds are those seeds that are partially
or wholly bored or eaten by weevil or other insects. Shrivelled and Immature
seeds are those seeds that are not properly developed.
Grade designations
and definition of quality of Cumin Ground
| Special characteristics |
| Grade designation |
Moisture percentage by weight (max) |
Total ash percentage by weight (max.) |
Acid in-soluble ash percent by wt. (max.) |
| Standard |
12.0 |
8.0 |
1.5 |
General characteristics:
- Cumin seed (powdered) shall be the material
obtained by grinding dried cumin seed whole.
- It shall be free from admixture, mould growth,
insect infestation or musty odour.
PRODUCTION
Highest Yearly Production : 135189 Tonnes
HARVESTING SEASON
February to March
MARKETING SEASON
April to May
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