Spices are the reservoir of aroma and flavor. But you also cannot refuse their role in boosting culinary creations of different cuisines worldwide. Adding spices to your recipes is the easiest way to enhance the culinary taste of your meals. Each spice offers a unique flavor profile and potential health benefits, starting from popular nutmeg and cinnamon to ending at the more obscure grains of paradise and achiote. Many global cuisines have adopted cumin and turmeric as their staples because both of them add a distinctive flavor to the recipes. They also share a common feature that makes them confusing for the uninitiated. Cumin and the name of a compound curcumin are often used interchangeably. However, the two spices have distinct differences that make it easy for you to use them separately for their useful features. In this article, you may find everything you need to know about cumin vs turmeric. Let’s dive into the river of information that helps us to find out the Health Benefits of Cumin and Turmeric along with their differences and popular cooking recipes containing these two spices.
What is Cumin?
Cumin has a nutty and earthy aroma with a pinch of sweet and citrus spice. It is a flowering plant belonging to a parsley family called Apiaceae. It is a herbaceous plant grown in Iran and Syria. It has pink or purple flowers with feathery foliage and small leaves. Oblong-shaped seeds are brownish-black. Cumin is found in two colors either dark or light colored depending on whether they are picked late or early in their growth cycle. Dark color cumin seeds contain more volatile oils which give them a spicier flavor than their lighter form. Its flavor is a mixture of the intense aromatic taste of garlic, peppers, and cloves. It gives a smoky taste to the recipes if it is roasted whole before grinding.
This is a well-known traditional cooking spice used in recipes from Latin America, India, North Africa, and the Middle East. It is an essential part of many masalas and curries.
Several curry powders contain cu, min as their basic ingredient because it enhances the flavor of several dishes, including stews, rice recipes, chili, and lentil soups. You can also add it to your dishes for their dressings to give a touch of extra flavor to your cooking. People use it as an additive in marinades or salads for its delicious and aromatic flavor. It may be a thing of wonder but, indeed, cumin is also an integral part of some desserts such as Mexican sweets and Churros.
In addition, cumin also has medicinal properties that are considered best to reduce inflammation, promote digestion, and boost immunity.
What is Turmeric?
Turmeric also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Its medicinal properties are also popular which makes it an effective remedy against digestive issues, heart diseases, arthritis, and cancers.
Turmeric is a tropical plant belonging to the ginger family name Zingiberaceae. It is grown in India and Southeast Asian countries where it has been used as a medicine for centuries. It is the root of this plant that is ground into a fine powder that has a color ranging from deep red-orange to yellowish-orange. It also has a pungent, earthy aroma with a hint of ginger, citrus, and pepper. The flavor profile of turmeric is bitter, warm, and slightly astringent which has a taste resembling mustard and coriander.
It is found in both forms, powder or fresh root. However, it is commonly used in powdered form and added to several dishes as an essential ingredient. It also gives a yellow color to curries and adds a unique flavor to marinades, stews, soups, and sauces.
Differences between Cumin and Turmeric
Here are some key differences between cumin and turmeric:
Active Ingredients: Cumin has some volatile oils as its active ingredients with some other organic compounds such as cumin aldehyde, while turmeric contains curcuminoids as basic ingredients.
Taste: The earthy and nutty taste with warm undertones of sweetness is characteristic of cumin, while turmeric is famous for its earthy and pungent flavor with hints of horseradish and mustard.
Color: Cumin may be dark or light colored, while turmeric powder has a color ranging from deep red-orange to yellowish-orange.
Botanical Origins: Cumin belongs to the family Apiaceae, a well-known parsley family while turmeric belongs to Zingiberaceae, a popular ginger family.
Part of Plant: Cumin is the seed of a flower, while turmeric is the root of a plant.
Similar Health Benefits: Cumin vs Turmeric
Cumin and turmeric share a lot of potential health benefits, including:
Cumin and Turmeric Improve Heart Health
Cumin is rich in many compounds that are beneficial for your heart health. Its minerals, fatty acids, and antioxidant contents help improve the function of your cardiovascular system. The combination of all these compounds helps reduce coronary stroke or heart disease and lower triglyceride levels. In addition, cumin is considered effective for regulating blood sugar levels, which can be beneficial for overall health.
Turmeric also benefits your heart health as it is rich in curcumin compound, which has high levels of antioxidants, helping reduce inflammation and protecting against free radical damage. This compound is effective for lowering blood pressure, reducing the risk of cardiac conditions and strokes, and improving cholesterol levels.
Cumin and Turmeric for Diabetes
Studies showed that a column has potential benefits in controlling diabetes because it can regulate blood sugar levels. A 2010 study confirmed that cumin is effective for the reduction of farting glucose levels and improving other markers of diabetes control, including HbA1c, which is a significant indicator of effective glucose control for a longer duration.
Turmeric is also found with anti-diabetic properties. Studies also indicate that it helps improve symptoms of diabetes in diabetic patients and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Cumin and Turmeric for Digestive Health
Ancient studies showed that cumin has been preferably used for treating stomach problems like nausea and bloating. The essential oils present in it help promote digestion and soothe an upset stomach.
Turmeric is also believed to be an effective source for calming your digestive health by reducing inflammation in your gut. Its basic compounds stimulate stomach acid, which results in the efficient digestion of food in the body.
Cumin and Turmeric for Anti-Inflammatory Benefits
Both are considered beneficial for reducing inflammation as they contain active ingredients for this purpose.
Cumin is rich in flavonoids which are beneficial antioxidants and also help as anti-inflammatory agents in your body.
Turmeric is rich in curcumin which is a popular anti-inflammatory compound and believed to have a powerful potential to reduce inflammation in your body.
Turmeric and Cumin for Weight Loss
Turmeric is rich in compounds that are believed to help promote weight loss and reduce body fat as well. Turmeric also helps boost your metabolism which results in increased calorie burning. Furthermore, its anti-inflammatory properties are also beneficial in losing weight.
Several studies support that taking cumin and lime supplements is beneficial for weight loss. It reduces many metabolic markets.
However, some studies reject the above-mentioned theory and say that neither turmeric or cumin is effective in reducing body fat. Combining them with regular physical activity and a balanced diet may help you in this regard.
Turmeric and Cumin for Osteoarthritis
Turmeric has anti-inflammatory effects that make it beneficial for relieving osteoarthritis symptoms. Studies also claimed that it is useful for reducing stiffness and pain in joints that are specifically associated with the condition. It also helps improve physical function.
Cumin also has anti-inflammatory characteristics, which is why it can be considered good for osteoarthritis treatment. However, more research is needed to check the effectiveness of both spices in relieving osteoarthritis.
Turmeric and Cumin as Anti-Aging Agent
Turmeric is found with some anti-aging properties due to its high levels of antioxidants. Antioxidants are believed to help fight free radical damage which leads to reduced inflammation. These are the key factors promoting the aging process. Furthermore, turmeric also improves collagen production and skin elasticity which are essential factors for a fresh, wrinkle-free, and youthful appearance.
Well, cumin is also considered good as an anti-aging agent due to its high concentration of antioxidants. It is a strong skin-whitening agent and helps improve uneven skin tone.
What is Healthier, Cumin or Turmeric?
Comparison between both spices are actually based on health benefits of cumin and turmeric and it is not an easy job because both spices offer several potential health benefits. If you look for turmeric, it will appear as a powerful anti-inflammatory agent that helps you reduce joint pain and stiffness related to osteoarthritis. In addition, its anti-aging properties also make it effective for improving your appearance and weight loss.
Meanwhile, studies also suggested that cumin has many health benefits like inflammation reduction and weight management. Moreover, it is also helpful in relieving symptoms of osteoarthritis and promoting digestion.
Last but not least, health benefits of cumin and turmeric both species are effective for many health conditions. That’s why it is difficult to choose the healthier one from them. However, you can reap more benefits from both by incorporating them into your diet regularly.
Are Cumin and Turmeric Interchangeable?
Despite sharing many health benefits, cumin and turmeric are not interchangeable. You cannot use them in your recipes interchangeably because their flavor profiles are very different. Cumin is known for its earthy taste with hints of citrus. Whole turmeric is popular for its pungent and slightly bitter taste with notes of ginger and pepper. Each of them has unique properties and is used to add to the flavor of your dishes in different ways. So it is important to choose the right one to enhance the flavor of stashes. However, there are several dishes in which both cumin and turmeric are added simultaneously to enhance their complexity and depth. For example, many cores contain both cumin and turmeric, where the two spices complement each other’s flavor with multiple aromatic ingredients. You can also use both in your tea and marinades.
Recipes Included Cumin and Turmeric
Here are some popular recipes that have both cumin and turmeric:
Cumin, Turmeric, and Lemon Tea
This comforting tea will boost your immunity as it has combined many health benefits of cumin and turmeric such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects with a tangy citrus flavor of lemon. This recipe needs fresh turmeric but for your convenience, you can also add turmeric powder.
Ingredients with Instructions:
- Add peeled and grated ginger root to the boiling water.
- Add lemon juice tablespoon, cumin seeds, and turmeric at low heat.
- Simmer for five minutes.
- Remove the flame and start the mixture after cooling it.
- Discard the ginger and cumin seeds.
Roasted Carrots with Cumin and Turmeric
Carrots are used in many recipes as they are versatile and healthy vegetables. Roasting carrots in the presence of cumin and turmeric enhances the flavor with an addition of earthy smoky flavor that pairs with the sweetness of carrots.
Ingredients with Instructions:
- Cut the carrots after peeling and trimming.
- Place the arranged carrots in a single layer into a preheated oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Seasoning the carrots with pepper and thyme leaves will enhance the flavor.
- Roast the carriers for 15 minutes until the carrots become tender.
- Now, sprinkle cumin seeds and coriander seeds after heating a small skillet over medium heat.
- Toast for 2 minutes.
- Add toasted spices in a bowl and add chili powder and turmeric to it.
- Remove the carrots from the oven and toss with this butter mixture.
- Sprinkle chopped mint on it and serve.
Conclusion
Cumin and turmeric both are healthy spices that help improve many health conditions, including, osteoarthritis, blood glucose levels, and inflammation. Both spices help boost your digestion, improve skin health, reduce the aging process, and ease digestive comfort. In addition, they are also beneficial for weight loss. However, more research is needed to check the validity of health benefits of cumin and turmeric.
But remember, you can’t use these spices as a substitute for medical treatments if you experience any health issue mentioned here. It’s always better to talk to your healthcare provider before incorporating such spices into your diet. Nutritionists suggest that these species act more effectively when used in combination with regular physical activity and a balanced diet.
