Cumin is available either as a seed or in powdered form for cooking. The seeds can be roasted to release more of their flavor into the food. Cumin is an ingredient in curry powder and other spice mixtures but it is not a major spice flavor in Thai cooking.

Although the cumin plant originated in the Mediterranean, it is now grown in other countries that have a hot climate such as China, India and Latin America. In the field of herbal medicine, cumin is revered for its digestive and even antiseptic properties.