Is Cumin and Jeera the Same? (Yes - Jeera = Cumin Seeds)
Yes, cumin 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 flavour with a slightly bitter undertone that becomes more pronounced when toasted.
What is Jeera Called in English?
Jeera is the Hindi word for cumin seeds. In English, jeera is simply called "cumin" or "cumin seeds."
The spice is exactly the same regardless of what you call it. If you see a recipe calling for "jeera," you can use regular cumin seeds from any store. If a Western recipe calls for "cumin," use jeera. They're 100% identical - just different names in different languages.
Jeera Names Around the World
| Language | Name for Jeera/Cumin |
|---|---|
| English | Cumin Seeds |
| Hindi | Jeera (जीरा) |
| Urdu | Zeera (زیرہ) |
| Tamil | Jeeragam (சீரகம்) |
| Telugu | Jeelakarra (జీలకర్ర) |
| Bengali | Jira (জিরা) |
| Gujarati | Jirun (જીરું) |
| Marathi | Jeera (जिरे) |
| Kannada | Jeerige (ಜೀರಿಗೆ) |
| Malayalam | Jeerakam (ജീരകം) |
| Spanish | Comino |
| Arabic | Kamun (كمون) |
| French | Cumin |
Note: "Jeera" always refers to whole cumin seeds. When ground into powder, it's called "jeera powder" (जीरा पाउडर) in Hindi or "ground cumin" in English.
How to Use Jeera in Cooking
Whether you call it jeera or cumin, this versatile spice is used throughout Indian cooking. It's perfect for tempering (tadka), spice blends like garam masala and dhana jeera (coriander cumin powder), and ground fresh for curries. Whether you're making jeera rice or adding it to your spice rack, you'll get the same authentic flavour regardless of what the package calls it. You can buy jeera (cumin seeds) online, we stock them in whole seed form, sourced directly from India.
