How to Smash Cumin Seeds

Smashing seeds is a great way to release their flavor. You can either smash cumin seeds with traditional or non-traditional tools.

Instructions

1. Place the cumin seeds you want to smash into a small bowl. If you have a mortar and pestle, place the seeds in the mortar.

2. Put the pestle on top of the seeds and apply pressure, moving the pestle around on top of the seeds in order to grind them. If you do not have a pestle, use any flat-bottomed handle, such as the handle of a hammer or meat tenderizer.

3. Stir the seeds and repeat Step 2 until the cumin seeds are ground to a powder.

4. Store or use right away.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not use a fragile bowl as a mortar or grinding vessel.