Also Known as
Methi powder

Description
The small, roughly angular, brownish yellow seeds having a bitter yet pleasing flavor have a hard shell, so crush them in a mortar and pestle or with a hammer, or soak them to soften before mashing. It adds aroma and adds a characteristic taste to curry powders. The powerful bittersweet, somewhat acrid taste, powder is to be used in moderation.

How to Select
It's always beneficial to buy whole seeds and then grind them at home for maximum taste. Hence, best to avoid ready powders.

Culinary Uses
· Fenugreek seed powder has been used for centuries as a spice to increase the taste of curries by the Indian and the Chinese. Fenugreek powder is used internally to stimulate appetite.
· Tea made from Fenugreek seeds is very much valuable.
· Fenugreek powder used with lemon juice and honey
· Crushed fenugreek seed is an ingredient in curry powder. Seeds are added to pastries, marinades, pickles, chutneys and brines.
· The aroma of the seed is spicy, the flavour slightly pungent and bitter.
· The ground seeds are used also to give a maple-flavouring to confectionery and nearly all cattle like the flavour of Fenugreek in their forage.
· Flour mixed with ground fenugreek makes spicy bread.

How to Store
Fenugreek powder can loose its aroma. Hence, powder as desired. It is good to store it in an air tight container, unrefrigerated.

Health Benefits
· Fenugreek tea has a soothing effect on the inflamed stomach and intestines. It cleans the stomach, bowls and kidneys. It helps healing peptic ulcers by providing coating of mucilaginous matter
· It is used for the treatment of wounds, abscesses, arthritis, bronchitis, and digestive problems.
· Fenugreek has been used fairly extensively by lactation consultants to increase milk production in nursing mothers.