Fenugreek, also known as Bird's Foot and Greek Clover, is an annual herb
native to the Mediterranean and Asia that produces highly aromatic
seeds. The foliage and the seed of the plant are important agricultural
crops and are featured in the cuisines of the region. In cooking, the
bittersweet flavor of the seed improves with dry roasting or pan frying.
Powdered fenugreek seed is usually blended with other spices and herbs
to produce seasoning mixes for soups, sauces, stews and curries.
Fenugreek seed is also used as a food additive and flavoring in
processed foods, most notably in artificial maple syrup. The seed is
also a source of natural diosgenin, which is used to manufacture
synthetic estrogen.
