Etymology
From the Latin foenum graecum, meaning "Greek hay," since it was used by Romans for fodder

Origin
Southern Europe, Mediterranean, western Asia

General Information
Fenugreek has been used since ancient times in cooking and for a variety of other uses. It was used by the Egyptians in embalming, and was also used to make yellow dye. The seed extract is used in making artificial rum, vanilla and maple flavourings.

Fenugreek is an annual plant that grows about 60 cm tall. It produces long curved pods, each containing 10-20 brown rhombus-shaped seeds made up of two unequal lobes.

Culinary File
Since fenugreek seeds are bitter and very hard, they are usually roasted and ground before use to mellow their flavour. The spice is widely used in the Middle East, North Africa and India. The seeds are also used in candy making and in breads. The leaves have a scent reminiscent of lovage and can be added to salads when young.

The Worldwide Gourmet
India - In India, fenugreek (known in Hindi as methi) is used to flavour many pickles and curry dishes, including the potato dish methi aloo. Fenugreek is an integral ingredient of traditional Tamil and Bengali spice mixtures. The leaves are added to some northern Indian breads.

Iran - Fenugreek leaves are used in ghorme sabzi, a thick, sour sauce made from vegetables, herbs and dried limes. A famous dish is Khoreshte ghorme sabzi, mutton stewed in this sauce.

Nutritional and Medicinal File
The seeds are both a spice and a legume, and thus are rich in protein. They are also a good source of readily-assimilated iron.

Fenugreek has been known as a medicinal herb since the Middle Ages. It has been used to treat colds and sore throats and is reputed to be an aphrodisiac.

In North Africa the seeds are traditionally eaten by those wishing to gain weight. The seeds also contain diosgenin which is extracted for use in steroids and other drugs. Fenugreek, like other bitter herbs and spices, stimulates bile secretion and thus promotes appetite and digestion.

In Egypt, a paste made from the seeds is used to treat fever, diabetes and stomach complaints. It is also used in plasters and cataplasms.

N.B. MSComm has gathered this information from preventative and natural medicine and from the popular traditions of various countries for your information and enjoyment, but MSComm declines all responsibility as to its use and does not intend that it be used as a substitute for conventional medicine.