Cumin Seeds And Powder Cumin is a popular spice used in cooking cuisine all over the world. Cumin is a spice from the parsley family with an earthy, nutty, spicy, and warm taste. It's grown mostly in India, China, and Mexico. It's also a common ingredient in curry. Cumin may boost your metabolism, lower cholesterol level, and help decrease your blood sugar. Studies confirm that consuming ground cumin helps some people who are trying to lose weight.