ASAFOETIDA or ASAFETIDA

Asafoetida or Asafetida is a strong pungent dried gum resin obtained from the taproots of several plants of the Ferula genus (sometimes called Giant Fennel) Ferula assafoetida, F. foetida and F. narthex. The plants are related to carrots and are native to the mountains of Central Asia. Today it is mainly used in India, Iran and Afghanistan as a condiment and seasoning in curries, etc.

Also known as stinking gum and devil's dung, asafoetida resin is obtained by making a cut in the top of the taproot and periodically scraping off the protective resin or sap that is exuded. Asafoetida is sold in lump and powdered form. It has a strong, unpleasant fetid aroma due to its complex mixture of sulfur compounds, which disappears when cooked and takes on an onion/garlic aroma and flavor.

About 500 tons of asafoetida gum resin is produced annually.

Supposedly asafoetida is one of the secret ingredients in Worcestershire Sauce.

Also see: Food Articles and Cooking Tips

CULINARY SCHOOLS
& COOKING CLASSES
From Amateur & Basic Cooking Classes to Professional Chef Training & Degrees - Associates, Bachelors & Masters - More than 1,000 schools & classes listed for all 50 States, Online and Worldwide

FOOD TRIVIA and FOOD FACTS

Please feel free to link to any pages of FoodReference.com from your website.
For permission to use any of this content please E-mail: [email protected]
All contents are copyright © 1990 - 2024 James T. Ehler and www.FoodReference.com unless otherwise noted.
All rights reserved. You may copy and use portions of this website for non-commercial, personal use only.
Any other use of these materials without prior written authorization is not very nice and violates the copyright.
Please take the time to request permission.

FoodReference.com (since 1999)

You are here > Home >

FOOD TRIVIA & FACTS > APRICOTS to AZTEC > Asafoetida

FOOD TRIVIA and FOOD FACTS SECTION