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)