Cumin is a flowering plant that has been grown as a spice since ancient times. Cumin is a member of the Apiacea family and grown natively in the eastern Mediterranean region and east of India. Cumin requires a hot climate for growth. The flowers of the cumin plant are small and can be either white or pink in color. It produces a tiny, compressed fruit containing a single seed similar to fennel, but smaller in size and slightly darker in color.