Ground coriander, caraway seeds and chili powder are three good substitutes for ground cumin in recipes. To get the best results, start with only half as much spice as the recipe calls for, and keep adding more till the dish tastes right.
Cumin comes from a plant in the parsley family and can be eaten ground or in whole seeds. Its earthy and musty flavor is often added to Latin American and Indian food. Ground coriander is made from the seeds of the cilantro plant and has a sweet lemony sage flavor. Caraway seeds are from a Dutch plant related to dill and cumin. Chili powder can be made from different peppers and is often mixed with other spices in seasoning mixes.
