I was curious about cumin plants, as all I know of them is their seeds. An essential ingredient in many mixed spices, chutneys, and chili and curry powders, cumin is especially popular in Asian, North African, and Latin American cuisines. The seeds’ distinctive taste is warm and aromatic.

The cumin plant, I learned, is small, slender, herbaceous annual with finely dissected leaves. The flowers are borne in characteristic flat-topped umbel clusters and are white or rose-coloured. Cumin is in the same family as other popular edibles such as caraway, parsley, dill, carrot, celery, cilantro, fennel, and parsnip. I wonder if the greens are good to eat? Why do we only consume the seeds? I need to try growing it. I wonder if my culinary seeds will sprout?