Fenugreek

What is Fenugreek?

Fenugreek is a spice that is whole or crushed seeds of fenugreek. Fenugreek is used as an single spice, added in the cooking of various dishes, and as part of various seasonings. There is another type of fenugreek that is also used as a spice - blue fenugreek, also known as utsho-suneli, but this is a different spice than fenugreek.

The Use of Fenugreek in Cooking

In cooking, fenugreek is used quite widely, it is part of the recipes of dishes in many countries of the world, for example, it is hard to imagine Georgian or Indian cuisine, cuisines of the Mediterranean and other countries without fenugreek. In addition to using fenugreek as an single spice, it is part of various seasonings, for example, Abkhazian adjika or Indian curries. When cooking recipes for Indian cuisine, fenugreek in the form of whole seeds is first fried in hot oil, and then various dishes are cooked based on the fragrant oil obtained with fenugreek. These can be soups and sauces, beans and vegetable dishes, sauces and gravies. In Mediterranean cuisines, this fenugreek is used in a variety of confectionery and pastries; fenugreek is used to make some types of cheese. Egyptian helbe tea is cooked from fenugreek seeds, which has refreshing and tonic properties. The use of this spice in American cuisine, as well as in the national cuisines of many other countries, has become widespread.

The Use of Fenugreek in Medicine and Other Industries

Fenugreek has been used in folk medicine for many centuries to treat various diseases, and research is currently underway and traditional medicine preparations based on it are being developed. In addition, fenugreek is included in some types of dietary supplements, is used in dietetics for weight loss, and in cosmetology - to improve the condition of the skin, nails and hair.

The Benefits and Harms of Fenugreek

The use of fenugreek benefits the human body. Fenugreek lowers blood sugar and cholesterol levels, removes toxins from the intestines, reduces the likelihood of heart disease, helps to lose weight and has a host of other benefits. But in some cases, fenugreek can be harmful. First of all, this applies to its use during pregnancy - in this case, fenugreek can provoke premature birth or miscarriage. There is a risk of an allergic reaction of the body to this spice, as well as individual intolerance to fenugreek. In addition, with an overdose of fenugreek or preparations containing it, problems with the gastrointestinal tract are possible - bloating, diarrhea, pain, nausea and other unpleasant symptoms.

Scientific Name of Fenugreek

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) is a species of the genus Fenugreek of the Legume family, subfamily Moth.

Fenugreek and Its Cultivation

Fenugreek grows wild in Iran, Turkey, Iraq, Ethiopia, Egypt, Armenia, Azerbaijan, as well as in the countries of Central Asia. For household needs, fenugreek is grown almost everywhere. Clay soil and a sunny climate are well suited for growing fenugreek.

In What Form Can You Buy Fenugreek?

You can buy fenugreek in the form of whole seeds, which are well stored, retaining the aroma and beneficial properties of fenugreek for a long time. When buying whole fenugreek seeds, it is worth remembering that they are very durable, and it will be difficult to grind them in a mortar. For this purpose, a coffee grinder or a special spice grinder is better suited. Fortunately, it is possible to buy ground fenugreek in which its seeds are crushed by the manufacturer of this spice. If you bought ground fenugreek seeds, you should be more careful about storing this spice - the container in which it is stored must be hermetically sealed.