Without cumin, we’d have no savory dal, tajine or chili. Hundreds of beloved recipes get their distinctive tang, punchy heat, and tawny color from cumin. Made from the thin, tiny seeds of the delicate cumin plant (a relative of dill and caraway), the spice originated in Asia (hence its appearance in the famous Xi’an noodle dishes), but was widely dispersed via the Silk Road, and used as an antibacterial addition to foods. Roasting adds depth and a toasted undertone.