What is cumin powder?
Cumin powder is made by cleaning and milling the dried seeds of Cuminum cyminum. Its warm, earthy, slightly bitter aroma comes from cuminaldehyde in the volatile oil. It is an indispensable component of fermented sausage, meatball, kebab and döner seasonings in Turkish cuisine and industry. Türkiye, India and Syria are the main producing countries; Turkish cumin is known for its aroma intensity.
How is it produced?
Harvested seeds are threshed, machine-cleaned of stones, soil and stems, washed and dried if needed, and milled in hammer or disc mills. Heat generated in milling causes volatile oil loss, so cryogenically milled grades are more aromatic. Ground cumin loses its aroma quickly; freshly milled product in small lots and sealed packaging is preferred.
Applications in food manufacturing
Fermented sausage, meatball, döner and kebab mixes; meat seasoning blends; hummus and pulse products; sauces and soups; snack seasonings; bakery products. Typical usage in meat products is 0.3–1%; in blends it depends on the formulation.
Technical properties and quality criteria
Check volatile oil (≥ 2%; indicator of aroma intensity), moisture (≤ 9%), total ash (≤ 9%) and acid-insoluble ash (≤ 1.5%; indicator of sand and soil), particle size (40–60 mesh), colour (brownish-yellow), microbiological values and pesticide and aflatoxin residues. Admixture of foreign seeds (e.g. caraway) relates to origin and supplier reliability.
What to check when buying
Origin defines the aroma; Turkish cumin is considered more intense and oily, Indian cumin lighter. Ask for the milling date and packaging integrity; moisture-proof inner liners are preferred. Obtain the specification, lot-specific COA, origin document and, on request, pesticide-aflatoxin reports with the quotation.
Wholesale sourcing: price and minimum order
The wholesale price of cumin powder depends on harvest season, origin, volatile oil content, milling method and order quantity. The typical minimum order is one pallet (500 kg). PERDIST identifies the grade suited to your application, compares sources and provides a written quotation with documents.
Frequently asked questions
Need current pricing, minimum order, origin or technical documents for this ingredient? Tell us the application and monthly quantity; we reply with a written quotation within one business day.