Last Updated on October 21, 2022 by Sindhu

Learn to make this simple and refreshing tea with Cumin seeds which help with digestive problems and weight loss.

Cumin tea or Cumin water or Jeera water is a traditional tea that is predominant in Indian cuisine. It is an old time-tested recipe for digestive problems.

Cumin is a very versatile spice used in various cuisines which mainly includes Indian, Mexican, African, and the Mediterranean.

What does Cumin taste like?

Cumin has an earthy flavor with musky tones. It is both aromatic and warming, especially when used with a combination of other spices.

Cumin adds a lot of depth and a bit of citrus flavor to the dishes.

Roasting Cumin helps in the release of the natural oil in the seeds and makes it easier to grind them.

Cumin seeds vs Ground cumin

Cumin seeds are the whole seeds of the plant Cuminum cyminum. They are also called Jeera in Hindi and are widely used in Indian cuisine. They play a major role in the Indian seasoning method called ‘Tadka’.

However, Ground cumin or Cumin powder is widely used in dishes like chili, Adobos, and several Middle Eastern dishes.

1 teaspoon of Cumin seeds can be substituted with 1/2 teaspoon of Ground Cumin.

Types of Cumin based on origin

The place from which Cumin comes from have an influence on the flavor.

We can say that there are 3 main sources of Cumin which include:

Indian/South Asian origin
Iranian origin
Middle Eastern origin

Health benefits of Cumin tea

Cumin is one of the most widely used spices around the globe, has a lot of important health benefits.

Weight loss: Cumin tea is a popular drink when it comes to its Weight loss properties, especially when you consume it on an empty stomach. Alternatively Cumin water can be prepared in diluted form and can be sipped throughout the day to boost the metabolism which aids in fat and weight loss.
Helps with constipation and Bloating: Cumin, also called as Jeera in Hindi is a number 1 home remedy when it comes to digestive issues such as constipation or bloating. This works wonder when Cumin tea is consumed as a hot or warm beverage. Alternatively, ground Cumin can also be added to plain lime water or buttermilk.
Helps with digestion: Cumin helps in the secretion of bile from Liver and this in turn have an effect on digestion and the whole digestive tract.
Improves blood sugar levels: Cumin also helps in treating diabetes by regulating the blood glucose levels. It also acts as diuretic and hence regulates the glucose levels by flushing out excess water from the body.
Helps in reducing food-borne illnesses: There is a reason why Cumin is predominantly used in Tropical and Subs-tropical cuisines. That is because it has an ability to reduce food borne illnesses and hence used in marinating meats.

Some Cumin questions:

Can cumin tea induce labor?

Several traditional medicines use Cumin tea or Cumin water as a means to induce labor near to due date or to induce abortions at the beginning of pregnancy.

However, there is no scientific research or evidence to back this up. And also its currently unclear as to what compounds of cumin are responsible for these properties.

So it is always better for pregnant women to have cumin tea in limited amounts and after consulting their physician.

Does Cumin have narcotic properties?

Yes, but only when you consume them in very large quantities than specified. Several studies show that the common side effects of Cumin include mental clouding, confusion, drowsiness, and nausea when ingested in huge amounts.

Popular dishes which include Cumin

Chili powder, which is used in preparing Chili.
Curry powder, which is a common ingredient in all the Curry recipes.
Several Indian vegetarian dishes, especially Potatoes and rice dishes such as Jeera pulao.
Mediterranean dishes such as Moroccan stews.
Adobo, is also a popular recipe which uses Cumin.
Many meat dishes include Cumin as an ingredient in the marination or dry rub.

Now let’s get some tea brewing..!

Cumin tea recipe

Herbal teas are the simplest when it comes to the ingredients list and Cumin tea is no exception.

You can make it with as little as 2 ingredients: Cumin and water. However, you can always add a natural sweetener such as honey, agave nectar to your teas to enhance their flavor and taste by reducing the bitterness.

Adding a dash of lemon or lime is also a popular choice.

Cumin tea looks pale golden yellow in color. But just in case you want to try a tea that looks colorful, have a look at Roselle hibiscus tea.