Spice guide / Black cumin
What is Black cumin?
Smaller, darker seeds than common cumin; used in biryani and rich gravies.
Short answer: Black cumin (Hindi: काला जीरा) is Bunium persicum. Floral, earthy, slightly smoky. Culinary use only — not a medicine.
| Common name | Black cumin |
|---|---|
| Hindi | काला जीरा |
| Sanskrit | — |
| Botanical name | Bunium persicum |
| Family | Apiaceae |
| Origin | Himalayan / Central Asian highlands; used in North Indian and Kashmiri cooking |
| Main producing regions | Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand |
| Flavour | Floral, earthy, slightly smoky |
| Aroma | — |
| Forms | seeds, whole |
| Retail packs | 100g–5kg (typical; see products) |
| Bulk | 10kg+ |
What is Black cumin?
Black cumin / kala jeera (often Bunium persicum, also called shahi jeera in trade) is not the same as nigella (kalonji). Confirm botanical identity on the lot. Flavour is more floral and camphor-like than Cuminum cyminum.
History of Black cumin
Origin
Himalayan / Central Asian highlands; used in North Indian and Kashmiri cooking
Growing regions
Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand
How it is grown
Harvest
Processing
Grades
- Standard: Admin-configured commercial grade
- Premium: Admin-configured higher visual/purity selection
- Export Grade: Only show when export specifications exist for the lot
- Machine Cleaned: Machine cleaned — confirm process for the lot
Only grades that apply to a lot should be shown at purchase. These are templates, not invented industry certificates.
Flavour, aroma and colour
Floral, earthy, slightly smoky. . Colour: . Heat: none.
Culinary uses
- Biryani
- Korma
- Pulao
Traditional uses
Recorded in culinary tradition. Traditional use is not scientific evidence of a medical effect.
SpicyCenter does not claim that spices cure, treat or prevent disease.
Storage and shelf life
Nutrition
Nutrition declaration is pack-specific and must be completed before UK/EU sale.
Buying guide
Retail packs typically run from 100g to 5kg. Bulk starts at 10kg. Selling prices are checkout prices. Indian market figures, when present, are indicative only.
Indicative Indian market price
No dated market print has been imported yet. Admin must enter min/max/average with market, grade, date and source.
Indicative Indian market prices must be imported or entered with date, market, grade and source. Empty values are intentional so the site does not fabricate today's rates.
Market prices →