Shah Jeera (Royal Kashmiri Black Cumin)

Kashmiri Shah Jeera, also known in Kashmiri as Siah Zeera and in Hindi as Shahi Jeera or Kala Jeera, is one of the most fragrant mountain spices from Kashmir.

Many people confuse Shah Jeera with regular cumin (safed jeera), but both look and taste very different. Regular cumin is thick, light brown, and gives an earthy, everyday flavour. Kashmiri Shah Jeera has thin, dark brown to black curved seeds with a very rich, sweet, and cooling aroma.

Our Shah Jeera grows wild on the cold mountain slopes of Kashmir and Kishtwar at high altitudes. Local collectors handpick the seed heads during late summer. Once harvested, the seeds are dried naturally in the clean mountain air, hand-sieved, and winnowed to remove dust, chaff, and little stones.

Because the aroma is so concentrated, you only need half a teaspoon in your cooking. It is a key spice in traditional Kashmiri Wazwan dishes like Rogan Josh, Rista, and Yakhni, and gives royal biryanis and pulaos their famous restaurant-style aroma without making the dish heavy.

Packaging: We pack our Kashmiri Shah Jeera in food-grade, multi-layer sealed pouches to protect the natural essential oils and aroma until you open it in your kitchen.

Storage: Once opened, transfer the seeds into an airtight glass jar or tight container. Keep it in a cool, dry cupboard away from direct sunlight and stove heat.