Is Cumin and Jeera the Same?
Yes, cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and jeera are the same spice. Jeera is simply the Hindi word for cumin. These small, brownish seeds are a key ingredient in Indian cooking and are known for their distinctive earthy, warm flavor.
Both names refer to:
- The same brown, boat-shaped seeds
- The same plant species (Cuminum cyminum)
- The same flavor and aroma
- The same culinary uses
While shopping for Indian recipes, you might see "jeera" listed in ingredients. You can use any cumin seeds labeled as either "cumin" or "jeera" - there's no difference between them. In Indian grocery stores and recipes, jeera is the more commonly used term.
Other names for cumin/jeera include:
- Jira (Gujarati)
- Zeera (Urdu)
- Ziran (Chinese)
- Comino (Spanish)
