Cumin
Cumin suppliers and sourcing guide
Cumin is the dried seed (botanically, the fruit) of Cuminum cyminum, an annual in the parsley family grown mainly in India, with Turkey, Syria and Iran also supplying. Seeds are threshed, cleaned and dried, then sold whole, ground or roasted. Brands buy it for seasoning blends, chili and taco mixes, sauces and snacks, and buy cumin oil or oleoresin for liquid flavoring.
- Also known as
- Cuminum cyminum · Cumin seed · Jeera · Cummin
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of cumin
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Whole seed
Cleaned seed graded by purity (for example 98% or 99% Singapore or Europe quality) and origin.
Ground cumin
Powdered seed for blends, sold by volatile oil level and mesh.
Roasted cumin
Dry-roasted whole or ground seed with a deeper, nuttier flavor.
Oil and oleoresin
Steam-distilled cumin oil or solvent-extracted oleoresin for liquids.
Steam-treated and organic
Steam-treated lots for ready-to-eat use, and certified organic cumin.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Volatile oil
- Volatile oil by steam distillation, the main strength figure.
- Purity and foreign seeds
- Admixture, weed seeds and extraneous matter by sorting for whole seed.
- Moisture
- Moisture by distillation or loss on drying.
- Total and acid-insoluble ash
- Ash by gravimetry; acid-insoluble ash measures sand and soil and is the usual cleanliness check for ground cumin.
- Allergen screen
- Peanut and almond protein by ELISA for ground cumin, after past recalls of cumin contaminated with peanut.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliforms or E. coli, and Salmonella; raw spices commonly carry high counts, so state whether the lot was steam-treated or otherwise treated.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Store cumin in sealed, lined bags or containers in a cool, dry, dark area off the floor; heat, light and air drive off volatile oil, and damp storage invites mold and insects. Whole seed keeps much longer than ground cumin. Shelf life is set by the supplier specification, and volatile oil and micro are the usual retests for older stock.
Lots and expiry dates
Volatile oil and purity vary by origin and crop, so record both for each lot along with any allergen screen result. Keep origin and crop year on the lot record.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 182.10 lists cumin (Cuminum cyminum) among spices and other natural seasonings and flavorings that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 182.20 lists cumin extractives, including essential oil and solvent-free oleoresin, among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)FDA's Compliance Policy Guide 525.750 describes cumin seed as the dried seed of Cuminum cyminum, with quality measured by volatile oil, ash and moisture.
Source: fda.gov (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Cumin suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking cumin suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell cumin? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of cumin can brands buy?
Common forms include whole seed, ground cumin, roasted cumin, oil and oleoresin and steam-treated and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for cumin include?
Expect volatile oil, purity and foreign seeds, moisture, total and acid-insoluble ash, allergen screen and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should cumin be stored?
Store cumin in sealed, lined bags or containers in a cool, dry, dark area off the floor; heat, light and air drive off volatile oil, and damp storage invites mold and insects. Whole seed keeps much longer than ground cumin. Shelf life is set by the supplier specification, and volatile oil and micro are the usual retests for older stock.
What is the regulatory status of cumin?
21 CFR 182.10 lists cumin (Cuminum cyminum) among spices and other natural seasonings and flavorings that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use. 21 CFR 182.20 lists cumin extractives, including essential oil and solvent-free oleoresin, among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use. FDA's Compliance Policy Guide 525.750 describes cumin seed as the dried seed of Cuminum cyminum, with quality measured by volatile oil, ash and moisture.
More flavors, spices and essential oils
- Vanilla extractExtract of vanilla · Pure vanilla extract
- Vanilla beansVanilla planifolia · Vanilla tahitensis
- Vanillin4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde · Vanillic aldehyde
- Ethyl vanillin3-Ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde · Bourbonal
- Natural flavorsNatural flavoring · Natural flavour
- Artificial flavorsArtificial flavoring · Synthetic flavors
- CinnamonCinnamomum verum (Ceylon cinnamon) · Cinnamomum cassia (Chinese cassia)
- NutmegMyristica fragrans · Nutmeg seed
- CloveSyzygium aromaticum · Eugenia caryophyllata
- CardamomElettaria cardamomum · Green cardamom
- Black pepperPiper nigrum · Peppercorns
- Cayenne pepperCapsicum annuum · Capsicum frutescens
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