Fenugreek
Hindi Name: Methi
Botanical name
Trigonella foenum-graecum L
Family name
Fabaceae
Commercial part
Fruit
Trigonella is a Latin byname of Greek trígonon "triangle"
and refers to the small, three- cornered flowers. The Latin species name
foenum graecum means "Greek hay", which is a dried plant's
(leaves or seeds) and has a strong hay-like scent.
Fenugreek is an ancient spice and is mostly used in Middle East,
Northern- Eastern Africa and India, especially for pickles. Dry roasting
enhances the flavor and reduces the bitterness of this spice. In
Egyptian papyri this spice finds its mention as of the plant necessary
for the mummification process and as food, medicine and an embalming
agent.
Fenugreek has a strong, pleasant and a peculiar odor and grows best in
well-drained soils with a low rainfall into brownish- yellow rhombic
shape seeds. In India, this spice is often cultivated as a cover crop in
citrus-fruit groves to take advantage of their leguminous nature.
Indians like the fresh leaves, which are eaten as tasty vegetable and
prepared like spinach and sometimes found in Indian yeast bread.
Commercially known as 'Methi', Indian fenugreek comes in several
well-known varieties such as 'Desi' and 'Champa' and is grown in the
Indian states of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The
spice is exported in its whole and powdered forms and as oil that is
extensively used in perfumery.
The major importers of Indian fenugreek are Saudi Arabia, Japan,
Malaysia, USA, The UK, Singapore and Sri Lanka.
| Name in International
Languages |
| Spanish: |
Alholva |
| French: |
Fenugrec |
| German: |
Bockshorklee |
| Swedish: |
Bockshornklee |
| Arabic: |
Hulba |
| Dutch: |
Fenegriek |
| Italian: |
Fieno Greco |
| Portuguese: |
Alforva |
| Russian: |
Pazhitnik |
| Japanese: |
Koroha |
| Chinese: |
K'u- Tou |
|
