How to Buy Cumin Seeds and Tips to Store Them?

Cumin powder & seed is mostly used to prepare curry powders. Besides this, it is also used to make “chhas” (buttermilk), flavored fruit salads, cooked vegetables, etc. Derived from the cumin seeds, this powder is made from small dried fruit of plant belonging to the parsley family. It is one of the most popularly used spices in Indian subcontinent, Mexico, Middle East, etc.
Because of its spicy flavor, it adds zing to several vegetarian and non-vegetarian recipes, making the food preparations truly delicious to eat. Besides its culinary use, it is also very well-known for its health and nutritional benefits. In this blog, we will discuss about how to buy cumin seeds and tips for its storage.
How to buy Cumin Seeds?
•    They are available in the market round the year and are also available in powdered form. But it is advised to purchase seeds, since cumin powder & seeds loses its flavor and texture with passage of time.
•    To test their quality, you can pick a cumin seed and squeeze it between your index finger and thumb. If it releases its peppery flavor, then it indicates that the seeds are of good quality.
•    The last important thing, which you should remember is that if possible always purchase whole cumin seeds, as the powdered form can at times contain adulterated spices powders.
Useful tips for its storage
•    Use airtight containers to store cumin powder & seed in a cool, dry & dark place. In this way, you can keep them fresh throughout the year and so.
•    To store its powdered or grounded form, make use of sealed containers to keep it away from heat & light. You should use it within 6 months of its purchase and afterwards replace it once it becomes clumpy, loses pungency or becomes dull in color.
•    In order to extend the life of grounded form of cumin seeds, store it in refrigerator and use them as soon as possible, as they lose the flavor quickly.

Thus, if you are thinking to buy cumin seeds & powder, you can conduct online research to find for some reputed websites, which offer you an array of variety of quality Indian spices.