Dried fenugreek leaves Kasoori Methi, MDH, 100g

Kasoori Methi is aromatic dried fenugreek leaves. These dried leaves are used to add a beautiful and exquisite aroma to Indian curry dishes. Kasoori methi leaves are also used as a filling for Indian breads such as methi paratha.

Fenugreek (Shambhala, Fenugreek), also known as methi, is a plant cultivated both for its leaves and for the spices made from the seeds. Fenugreek grows outdoors from the eastern Mediterranean to China. It is cultivated throughout the world. The name fenugreek, or foenum-graecum, comes from the Latin for Greek hay.

Both leaves and seeds are used in fenugreek. The yellow diamond-shaped seeds of fenugreek (shambhala) are often used in the preparation of pickles, curry powders and pastes, and are often found in the cuisine of the Indian subcontinent and Thailand. Young fenugreek leaves and shoots are available raw, fresh or dried, and are used to flavour various dishes. Dried leaves have a pungent taste and a strong characteristic smell and should be used with care.

In Yemen, it is the main flavouring and ingredient added to the national dish Saltah. Fenugreek is also one of the four herbs used in the Iranian Ghormeh Sabzi recipe. Dried fenugreek leaves (called kasuri methi) are used in Indian and Pakistani dal dishes, including the Bengali spice mix panch phoron.

Fenugreek is often used to make spices for artificial syrups.

In India, fenugreek mixed with yoghurt is used as a hair rinse. The word fenugreek in Amharic is abesh, which is often used as a natural herbal medicine for diabetes. It is also sometimes used as an ingredient in butter (Amharic: qibe) - similar to Indian ghee. In Turkey, where fenugreek is called 'semen', it is used in hot pastirma.

Recently, fenugreek has discovered some uses in bodybuilding, as it may help to stimulate testosterone production, although there is little evidence for this.

Uses: suitable forflavouring soups and vegetable dishes. Can be crushed and sprinkled before serving. Also suitable for bread products.

Ingredients: whole dried fenugreek leaves.

Allergens: packed in an environment containing peanuts, sesame seeds, gluten-containing products, wheat, milk powder, soya and mustard.

Country of origin: India

Storage conditions: Store in a dry, cool place

Best before: see packaging