Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus: New page: {{template:Recipe}} Cumin (cumminum) This was a very largely used spice not far after the use of pepper and lovage. Cumin seed was what was mainly used , first toasted in an oven or dry ...

2011-06-14T10:17:53Z

New page: {{template:Recipe}} Cumin (cumminum) This was a very largely used spice not far after the use of pepper and lovage. Cumin seed was what was mainly used , first toasted in an oven or dry ...

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Cumin (cumminum)

This was a very largely used spice not far after the use of pepper and
lovage. Cumin seed was what was mainly used , first toasted in an
oven or dry pan and then ground very like pepper. This spice is also
used extensively in recipes from Asia, and the Middle East. However,
cumin has been all but completely left out of the recipes of the
Italian world. The green leaves of the cumin plant can also be used
and can be a very good additive to some dishes as well.

Cumin is fairly easy to grow in climates which are mild and
temperate. It is said that one Theophrastus (Theo. VII-iii-2), has
indicated that while planting (sowing) cumin seed, "One should curse
and shout," to encourage the cumin seed to grow and flourish. Pliney
has indicated that Cumin encourages the human pregnancy. Women were
more likely to get pregnant faster and more surely if the odor of the
crushed cumin seed were smelt during sexual intercourse (Plin. N.H. XX-
lvii). Another saying was that cumin caused the facial features to
turn pale, as in sickness or death. It is said that Julius Vindex,
among others, who lived during the same period as Nero , took in large
amounts of cumin seed in order to provide false hope to those who were
false flatters awaiting a possible increase in their share of their
inheritance.

Reference:

Patrick Faas, "Around the Roman Table," Univ. of Chicago Press,
Chicago, 2005 (ISBN 0-226-23347-2 (paper)

Cumin - Revision history

Gnaeus Cornelius Lentulus: New page: {{template:Recipe}} Cumin (cumminum) This was a very largely used spice not far after the use of pepper and lovage. Cumin seed was what was mainly used , first toasted in an oven or dry ...