Cumin is a widely used spice in Indian, Mid Eastern, North African and Mexican cooking. It has a pungent warm flavor. Cumin is a seed from a low growing bush. Physically the seed resembles Caraway though the flavor is quite different. Cumin is an important spice in Couscous dishes from North Africa, it also blends well with certain cheeses and is an important ingredient in refried beans and other Mexican dishes.