Topic: cumin seed into cumin powder?

[natterjak]

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?

[bamble1976]

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

[natterjak]

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

[Stephen Lindsay]

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

[natterjak]

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