Iranian

• Iranian cumin comes from the Khorasan province, and is mostly black seed cumin. While the United States historically imported its cumin supply mostly from Iran; ever since the Islamic Revolution, America has stopped importing cumin from the nation. It is also known as the caraway plant.

Indian

• India produces and consumes the most cumin in the world, and is similar in taste and aroma to Iranian cumin. Indian cumin has an essential oil content, between 3 and 5 percent, and is brown in color.

Middle Eastern

• Middle Eastern cumin, originating in Pakistan, Syria and Turkey, differs in flavor and aroma from Indian and Iranian cumin. It has an essential oil content between 3 and 5 percent.

White and Black Cumin

• Aside from regional differences, cumin seeds come in two varieties: white and black. Most cuisines use white cumin seeds, but black cumin seeds are found in Persian dishes and are sweeter in aroma.