Cumin seeds have a strong, penetrating, slightly bitter taste and aroma. Cumin is a common ingredient in Middle-Eastern, Indian, and Mexican cooking. It is used to flavor soups, vegetables, rice, legumes, stews, beef dishes, marinades, and pastries. It is a basic component of chile powder, curry, and ras el hanout. One of the most common spices in North African cuisines, cumin is used to flavor tajines and couscous. In Eastern Europe it is used in breads, delicatessen meats, and some cheeses. Cumin seeds can either be used whole or ground in to a powder. Cumin is an aromatic spice used to flavour rice, lentils and vegetable dishes. The flavour of cumin seeds is intensified when they have been dry roasted or fried.