Our Wild Mountain Cumin has a savory, penetrating aroma and bright, umami flavor evocative of grilled meats and sweet caramelized onions.
The tiny, oblong black seeds are hand-picked by foragers in the Hindu Kush mountains of Afghanistan. Botanically distinct from common cumin, our Wild Mountain Cumin is renowned in Afghanistan and throughout central and south Asia for its delicious flavor as well as its medicinal properties.
The seeds are smaller and softer than the cumin you may be used to, and they do not need to be ground before use.
Highlights
Badakhshan, Afghanistan
Black cumin, Persian cumin, kala jeera, Elwendia persica
Sun-dried
Whole wild cumin (Bunium persicum)
Grilled Onion • Dried Apricots • Mountain Air
Cooking tips
- Bloom seeds in hot oil or ghee and use as the base for stews, curries or braises
- Grind seeds and mix with other spices like coriander and black pepper for a savory protein rub
- Mix whole seeds into guacamole, vinaigrettes or yogurt-based spreads
RECIPES
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Tomato Chutney with Nigella Seeds -
Shark-shuka -
Turmeric & Amchur Marinade / Vinaigrette -
Homemade Chili Oil -
Lamb Meatballs, Spiced Tomato Sauce, Mint, and Feta -
Chicken Salad with Indian Spices -
Garlic-Lemon Chicken with Saffron Pearl Couscous and Zucchini -
Five Spice Chicken Wings -
The Mother Blend / Madras Curry Powder -
Savory Bread Pudding with Short Ribs and Chickpeas -
Muhammara Roasted Red Pepper-Walnut Spread -
Savory Granola -
Chicken-Zucchini Meatballs with Roasted Tomatoes -
White Sonora Wheat Berry & Red Bean Salad with Cumin Lime Vinaigrette -
Kadhi with Jeera Rice -
Barkha's Spring Pickles -
Sheet Pan Balsamic Chicken with Za'atar Chickpea Salad -
Simple Spiced Tofu Scramble -
Seared Spice-Crusted Fish & Spicy Pineapple Salsa -
Qabuli Pilau/Spiced Rice -
Sweet Potato Hash -
Chickpea and Apple Chaat -
Moong Dal with Garam Masala -
Moroccan Chicken Kebabs -
Mahi Mahi with Stewed Spiced Peaches
SOURCING
Our Wild Mountain Cumin is sourced directly from networks of foragers in the Hindu Kush mountain range of Badakhshan province in the northeastern corner of Afghanistan. The Hindu Kush range is characterized by steep, rocky peaks cut through by green river valleys; the significant snowfall in the winter results in abundant vegetation in the short spring and summer seasons despite low rainfall. The rocky soil cultivates an ancient and resilient varietal of cumin with a warm, pungent flavor and irresistible aroma.
The cumin grows wild, and other than the small quantities we export, is harvested only for local consumption; there is no scalability or institutional infrastructure for export, and we are only able to source this very rare cumin varietal because of Burlap & Barrel founder Ethan’s years working in Badakhshan and surrounding provinces.
Burlap & Barrel is the only importer of Wild Mountain Cumin from Afghanistan. Our cumin grows wild and can be considered naturally organic, as no pesticides or other chemicals are used in its cultivation.
Meet the Forager: Ali collects our Wild Mountain Cumin from foragers who bring it down from the high mountains of Afghanistan's Hindu Kush to Faizabad, where he cleans it and prepares it for shipment.
Supermarket
Fair Trade