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Beginners Guide => Trainee Chefs / Beginners Questions => Topic started by: natterjak on March 11, 2011, 06:29 PM

Title: cumin seed into cumin powder?
Post by: natterjak on March 11, 2011, 06:29 PM

Hi all,

quick newbie question for you.  I need cumin powder for a recipe and thought I ordered it but I've actually received cumin seed.  To make cumin powder from the cumin seed I have, can I just grind the seeds in pestle in mortar or should I roast them first?

Title: Re: cumin seed into cumin powder?
Post by: bamble1976 on March 11, 2011, 07:12 PM

Hi

You can do either of these.  dry roasting for about a minute helps release the oils within bringing out the aroma a bit more but I am not sure I notice the difference.

Regards

Barry

Title: Re: cumin seed into cumin powder?
Post by: natterjak on March 11, 2011, 07:31 PM

Thanks Barry.  Will probably not roast them if it doesn't make a lot of difference.

Title: Re: cumin seed into cumin powder?
Post by: Stephen Lindsay on March 12, 2011, 12:46 AM

Roasting releases the essential oils and contributes to increased flavour. I also believe it makes grinding spices easier if they are roasted first.

Title: Re: cumin seed into cumin powder?
Post by: natterjak on March 13, 2011, 04:04 PM

Thanks Stephen, I'll bear it in mind and maybe try it each way for comparison.