They may sound as if they are similar, but curcumin and cumin are two very different things. Curcumin is a special plant-based nutrient found within turmeric. It is what gives turmeric its golden color and its antioxidant properties.* Cumin is a spice that is made from the seeds of the Cuminum cyminum plant, a member of the parsley family. Despite their similarities in name, cumin and curcumin are not related.