Homemade Cumin Powder Recipe (Regular & Roasted)
Cumin Powder (Jeera Powder) is made by grinding cumin seeds, either sun-dried or roasted. Lightly roasted cumin powder adds a mild, earthy flavor to everyday dishes like dals, soups, and veggies. In contrast, homemade Bhuna Jeera (deeply roasted cumin powder) has a bold, smoky, nutty taste, perfect for chaats and tangy snacks.
Servings: 1 Small Jar
Instructions
Roast Cumin Seeds
- Measure ½ cup cumin seeds and set aside.
- Heat a small skillet or frying pan until its hot on medium-low to medium heat. Ensure that the pan is heavy and thick bottomed.
- Add the cumin seeds in the pan.
- Dry roast over low to medium-low heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring often to avoid uneven roasting of the cumin seeds.
- Turn off heat and remove half a portion of the seeds with a spoon. Set these lightly roasted cumin aside to cool.
- Switch on the heat and continue roasting the remaining cumin seeds on low to medium-low heat for 3 to 4 minutes or until fragrant and browned.
- Set aside these roasted cumin seeds on a plate to cool.
Make Everyday Cumin Powder
- Once cooled, grind the lightly roasted cumin seeds to a fine powder in a spice-grinder or mixer-grinder.
- Store in an airtight container.
Make Roasted Cumin Powder for Chaat
- Similarly grind the further roasted cumin seeds to a fine powder.
- Store in a small airtight jar or a spice container.
Storage
- Store cumin powder in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
- Use within 3 to 6 months. You can also store it in the refrigerator for a longer shelf-life.
- Opt to freeze for longer freshness.
How to Use
- Add cumin powder to soups, lentil dishes, vegetables, rice, curries, and salads.
- For chaat, use roasted cumin powder to enhance dahi vada, pani puri, bhel puri, dahi puri or sev puri with a smoky and nutty flavor.
Notes
- Roast Lightly for Everyday Use: Lightly toast cumin seeds for a mild flavor in daily dishes.
- Roast Longer for Chaat: For roasted cumin powder, toast the seeds until browned for a smoky, nutty flavor.
- Cool Before Grinding: Let the roasted seeds cool before grinding for a smooth, clump-free powder.
- Store Properly: Keep cumin powder in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to maintain freshness.
- Grind Fresh: Grind small batches to preserve flavor.
