Using Fenugreek Herb for Cooking
Fenugreek is a seed that is dried and then ground. It is primarily used in strong-flavored curries or spice mixtures. However, the spice has been cultivated since ancient times. It has had many other uses, including medicine and livestock feed. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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Fenugreek has been prized throughout history for its medicinal and culinary attributes. The ancient Greeks, Romans and Egyptians utilized it for these purposes.
Function
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It was thought to relieve anything from a headache to leg cramps. It is still used today to relieve digestive ailments in some countries. However, its primary use has always been for cooking.
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Geography
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Fenugreek is originally indigenous to the Eastern Mediterranean coastline, otherwise known as the Levant. It is cultivated today on the northern shores of Egypt, Morocco, India, China, and England.
Identification
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Fenugreek are the seeds the leguminous plant. The plant grows to a height of 2 feet. The seeds themselves are oblong shaped and about 1/8-inch long.
Uses
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Today, fenugreek is primarily used in curries. Curries are strong spice mixtures or pastes that originated in India, where they relied heavily on the strong mixtures to bring flavor to otherwise tasteless ingredients. Fenugreek is often found mixed with cinnamon, cumin, pepper, tumeric, or cardomon.
Benefits
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There has been recent research into the long held belief in the health benefits of fenugreek. While no definite proof has been found, there is definitely a correlation between the relief of stomach ailments and the spice.
Fun Fact
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Fenugreek is most widely used to make spoiled hay palatable to livestock. In fact, this has been the primary use since ancient times. The word fenugreek is derived from the Greek words "foenum-graecum," meaning Greek hay.
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