Greek Hay?

A friend of mine asked recently what Fenugreek seed was used for. I wondered the same thing years ago when I got a spice set that included fenugreek. I think it sat on my shelf for 10 years..unopened! I'm so ashamed! Now this is one of my staples in my spice cabinet.

Fenugreek is used a lot in Indian cooking, and is often toasted, ground and blended with other spices. We use it in our custom blend Garam Masala. You'll also see it in pickling spices and curry blends. They are also used throughout Middle Eastern, North African, and even East African cooking.

Artificial maple syrup depends on it's smokey, caramel-like finish. When toasted, it is more like a burnt sugar flavor. I recently tasted some cheese with fenugreek seeds in it and it was lush! It's very unique and I don't know how I lived without it before!

The name?  Well you can blame Latin for that! The species name for fenugreek means "Greek Hay" - which refers to the smell of the green of the plant and it's Eastern Mediterranean origin. There - more than you ever wanted to know about Fenugreek! Hey - does that make me a Fenu-GEEK? hehe


ahem - the advertising part: Both Organic Fenugreek Seeds and Organic Fenugreek Powder are available at Red Onion Spice & Tea Company!