Black Pepper Cumin

Black pepper (Piper nigrum) is a flowering vine in the family Piperaceae, native to South India. The fruit of the vine, called a peppercorn, is dried and used as a spice. Cumin (Cuminum cyminum) is a flowering plant in the family Apiaceae, native to the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent. Its seeds are dried and used as a spice.

Black pepper and cumin are commonly used together as a spice blend to add pungent, earthy, and warm flavors to a wide variety of foods. Manufacturers use them in seasoning mixes, rubs, marinades, and processed foods like salsas and dips to enhance taste and aroma.

Black pepper and cumin are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA when used as food ingredients. Both spices have been used for centuries in traditional medicine, and research suggests they may have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. JECFA and EFSA have evaluated various spice components, but specific evaluations for the combined blend are not typically noted. At typical dietary levels, they are not associated with adverse health effects.