Cumin is the dried, white fruit with greyish brown colour of a small slender annual herb.
The surface of the fruit has 5 primary ridges, alternatively has 4 less distinct secondary ridges bearing numerous short hairs.
The plant is 15 to 50 cm high. The aromatic seed like fruit is elongated, ovoid, 3 to 6 mm long, slightly bitter and has a warm flavour.
The flowers are white or rose coloured in small umbels.