Steenbergs Asafoetida Ground Spice Mix 60g

Steenbergs Asafoetida - or Hing - is an important specialist spice used in traditional Indian cuisine that is purported to help with the digestion of pulses, so is great for those who eat a vegetarian diet.  

Asafeotida has an aroma that is very distinctive and stinky. However, when fried briefly in hot oil, the smell tones down and becomes a sweet, onion-like flavour, which is why Brahmins in India often cook with it as they are prohibited from eating garlic and onions.  As a result, asafoetida is one of those sneaky little spices that adds something special to dishes, even when only a small amount is added; it creates an extra depth that somehow is lacking when it is removed. Use asafoetida as suggested in Indian recipe books or any lentil or pulse dishes that you serve with curries, such as dhal or chana masala or sambar. 

To make commercially used asafoetida, the gum is ground with a form of starch, such as corn or wheat flour to give a coarse, light brown powder.  Yellow asafoetida is made by mixing the gum with wheat or corn starch, gum arabic, turmeric and perhaps an artificial colour as well.  Steenbergs' asafeotida is blended with fenugreek powder alone.

Please note, Steenbergs' asafoetida is designed specifically for culinary use, not for those looking for ayurvedic medicine. This product is NOT organic.

Ingredients: fenugreek powder, asafoetida gum (40%).