What is jeera powder in English?

In this brief guide, we will answer the question, “What is jeera powder in English?” We will also discuss the process of making jeera powder as well as the possible spices that can be used in place of jeera powder.

What is jeera powder in English?

The English name for jeera powder is cumin powder or ground cumin. It is basically a ground form of roasted jeera seeds. Cumin seeds are long and boat-shaped and look a lot like caraway seeds. 

What kind of spice is cumin or jeera?

Cumin is a spice that is made from the dried seed of a plant known as Cuminum cyminum. Cumin is one of the most popular spices used all over the globe. 

It is one of the staple spices found in everyone’s kitchen cupboard. It can be available in both whole seeds as well as ground forms in the market. 

Different varieties of cumin can be found but the most commonly used is brown cumin. Cumin has a warm and earthy flavor and aroma with a hint of bitterness. So make sure to use just the right amount of cumin so your dish doesn’t turn out to be bitter.

Are jeera powder and dhaniya powder the same?

Jeera powder and dhaniya powder are not the same but they can be often used together in recipes or even mixed in ground form. 

Jeera powder is the cumin powder while dhaniya powder is ground coriander. These two spices always go together. You can just mix these two spices together and store them for better utilization.

How can we make jeera powder at home?

Jeera powder or cumin powder can be easily made at home from cumin seeds. But of course, if you think it’s too much work, you can always get your ground cumin from the local supermarket.

Let us discuss the process of making cumin powder at home:

  • Heat a pan at medium heat for about 2 minutes.
  • Add the cumin seeds to the heated pan and roast them until they are completely dry and darker in color. Stir them continuously for about 5 minutes. You can determine when the seeds are roasted from their fragrance.
  • Turn off the heat and transfer the seeds to a plate and let it cool for 20 minutes.
  • Now that the seeds are completely cooled, it’s time to grind the roasted seeds. Use a spice grinder to grind them. Make sure you shake the grinder a few times to ensure that the seeds are finely ground.
  • Transfer the ground cumin to an airtight container and store it in a cool place for longer storage.

Does jeera help in weight loss?

Cumin water which is also known as jeera water is very popular for weight loss. Many people use it regularly for weight loss and fat reduction. 

You can make this drink by adding two teaspoons of jeera to 1.6 quarts of boiling water. Let it sit for about 10 -15 minutes so that it can absorb all the healthy extracts of cumin seeds. 

Strain the seeds out before you take the drink. You can also purchase cumin supplements easily in your local mart or add cumin to your diet.

What other spices can I use in place of cumin or jeera powder?

Whole coriander or ground coriander

Coriander is the seed of the Cilantro plant which comes from the same family as the cumin  Parsley family. 

Like cumin, it has an earthy flavor but coriander is milder than cumin in terms of its smokiness. Use half the amount of cumin when adding to your recipe.

Curry Powder

Curry powder is a spice blend that typically contains turmeric, chili powder, cumin, and fenugreek. This option maintains the flavor the same but adds more heat and a darker, reddish hue.

Garam masala (Hot spice)

Garam masala is a combination of different spices like cumin, cloves, cardamom, black pepper, and cinnamon which can be easily made at home or can be store-bought. 

Since it is spicier and more flavorful in comparison to cumin, you should reduce the amount considerably. For an easy homemade recipe for garam masala, please click the link here.

Caraway seeds

Caraway seeds are another member of the same family. This may be the reason why it’s almost identical to cumin seeds. Although it gives a similar flavor to cumin its taste isn’t as strong as cumin.

Fennel seeds

Yet another member of the Parsley family. They have a slightly lesser earthy taste in comparison to cumin so add slightly more to your recipe when substituting.

Other FAQs about Spices that you may be interested in.

Can I use coriander seeds instead of powder?

When should I use coriander powder?

Is ground cardamom the same as coriander?

Does cumin have any health benefits?

Conclusion

In this brief guide, we have answered the question, “What is jeera powder in English?” We have also discussed the process of making jeera powder as well as the possible spices that can be used in place of jeera powder.

Citations

https://www.purewow.com/food/substitute-for-cumin

https://www.healthline.com/health/cumin-benefits#risks-and-side-effects