Cumin: the warm note behind a savory dish
The idea
Cumin brings a distinctive warm, earthy aroma to cooking. A little can sit behind vegetables or a savory filling without making the dish taste hot. It is useful to separate the idea of spice from the idea of chili heat: a seasoned dish can be aromatic and mild at the same time.
A practical next step
At home, compare a small pinch of cumin in two otherwise simple vegetable preparations. Notice the aroma before adding another seasoning.