The moisture dependent mechanical properties of cumin seed were measured in terms of average compressive force, seed rupture force, deformation and energy absorbed. The cumin seeds in the moisture content range of 7 to 22% d.b. were quasi-statically loaded in the horizontal and vertical orientations. The force increased with increasing deformation and decreasing moisture content in the horizontal and vertical orientations. Force required to initiate seed rupture decreased from 50 to 40 N and 31 to 20.3 N and seed deformation increased from 0.307 to 0.327 and 0.285 to 0.428 with increase in moisture content from 7 to 13% db. and 7 to 12% db. for the horizontal and vertical orientations respectively. The energy absorbed increased with increasing moisture content in the horizontal and vertical orientations and it followed a second-order polynomial regression. Cumin seed loaded in the vertical orientation required more energy for rupture than that in the horizontal orientation. Maximum energy absorbed was found to be 14.8 and 20.4 mi at the moisture content of 7% db. in the horizontal and vertical orientations respectively.