Hindi Name: Methi
Botanical Name:
Trigonella
foenum-graecum L Family name:
Fabaceae Commercial part: Fruit
Fenugreek is a
native to India and
southern Europe. For
centuries it has
grown wild in India,
the Mediterranean
and North Africa.
where it is mainly
cultivated. A
limited crop grows
in France. It was
used by the ancient
Egyptians to combat
fever and grown in
classical times as
cattle fodder.
Commercially, it is
used in the
preparation of mango
chutneys and as a
base for imitation
maple syrup. In
India it is used
medicinally, and as
a yellow dyestuff.
It is also an
oriental cattle
fodder and is
planted as a soil
renovator. In the
West, fenugreek’s
therapeutic use is
now largely confined
to the treatment of
animals, though
historically. it has
been used in human
medicine. The name
derives from the
Latin ‘Greek hay”
illustrating its
classical use as
fodder.
Spice Description
Fenugreek is the
small stony seeds
from the pod of a
bean-like plant. The
seeds are hard,
yellowish brown and
angular. Some are
oblong, some
rhombic, other
virtually cubic,
with a side of about
3mm (1/8”). A deep
furrow all but
splits them in two.
They are available
whole and dried , or
as a dull yellow
powder, ground from
the roasted seeds.
Bouquet: Warm and
penetrating,
becoming more
pronounced when the
seeds are roasted.
Ground, they give
off a ‘spicy’ smell,
pungent, like an
inferior curry
powder which would
probably contain too
much fenugreek. Flavour: Powerful,
aromatic and
bittersweet, like
burnt sugar. There
is a bitter
aftertaste, similar
to celery or lovage.
Plant Description
and Cultivation
An erect hairy
annual of the bean
family, reaching
30-60 cm (1-2 ft.).
The long slender
stems bear
tripartite, toothed,
grey-green obovate
leaves, 20-25 mm
(3/4-1 in) long. The
root is a mass of
fingery structures.
The sissile axillary
flowers are white or
pale yellow. The
thin, sword-shaped
pods are 10-15 cm
(4-6 in), with a
curved beak-like
tip, each carrying
10-20 seeds. The
plant radiates a
spicy odour which
persists on the
hands after
touching. Wild and
cultivated varieties
exist. Mild
Mediterranean
climates are most
suitable. Plants
mature in about four
months. The whole
plant is uprooted
and allowed to dry.
The seeds are
threshed out and
further dried.
Fenugreek Seeds in
Other languages
Spanish
alholva,
fenogreco
French
fenugrec Sénegré,
trigonelle
Italian
fieno greco
German
Bockshornklee,
Griechisches Heu
Indian
mayti, methe,
methi
Tamil
venthium
Malay
alba
Sinhalese
uluhaal
Properties of
Fenugreek
History says that
the name Fenugreek
or `foenum-graecum`
is derived from
Latin for `Greek
hay`. Basically from
foreign origin,
Fenugreek seeds have
been recovered from
the tomb of
Tutankhamen. Since
then it is grown
extensively in the
Indian states like
Rajasthan, Gujarat,
Madhya Pradesh,
Uttar Pradesh,
Maharashtra and
Punjab.It is
a cold season crop
and is fairly
tolerant to frost
and very low
temperature.
Fenugreek can also
be grown on black
cotton soils.
Fenugreek seeds are
rich in protein,
mineral matters,
starch, sugars,
mucilage, volatile
oil, fixed oil,
vitamins, enzymes
and essential amino
acids. Since long,
it has been used for
several purposes
like as a food
additive and as a
medicine. Fenugreeks
are customary for
cultural and
religious reasons.
Moreover, Fenugreek
extract is
considered as an
important component
for maple syrup.
According to ancient
beliefs, fenugreek
increases digestive
process in human
bodies. Its seeds
are used in curing
several diseases
like colic
flatulence,
dysentery, dyspepsia
with loss of
appetite, diarrhea,
chronic cough,
dropsy, enlargement
of liver and spleen,
rickets, gout,
diabetes, etc. Even
today, fenugreek is
used in hair tonic
preparations and as
a cosmetic. Apart
from culinary use
Fenugreek is used as
medicine since the
ancient ages in
India. There are
various traditional
uses of Fenugreek.
Fenugreek has
abundant usage
related to cookery
and medicinal
properties. Not only
in India Fenugreek
is used in many
other countries as
basic and most
important ingredient
in culinary uses as
well as preparing
medicines. This
plant is also used
in Herbal therapies
and treatments in
many parts of India
as well as in
abroad.
Wide Usage
In the Indian
subcontinent
fenugreek seeds are
very commonly used
in various culinary
preparations as well
as crucial
ingredient of
pickles, curry
powders, and pastes.
Fenugreek seeds are
frequently used in
the following
manner:-
Fenugreek seeds
are mixed with
yogurt in India Fenugreek seeds
are used as a
conditioner for hair
in India Fenugreek seeds
are one of the three
ingredients of idli
and dosa in India Fenugreek seeds
are used in the
making of khakhra, a
type of bread in
India Fenugreek is
frequently used in
the production of
flavoring for
artificial syrups
The taste of
toasted fenugreek is
additionally based
on substituted pyrazines, as is
cumin Fenugreek seeds are
used in injera/taita,
a type of bread
unique to Ethiopian
and Eritrean cuisine Fenugreek seeds are
used as a natural
herbal medicine in
the treatment of
diabetes in Ethiopia Fenugreek seeds are
sometimes used as an
ingredient in the
production of
clarified butter in
Ethiopia which is
similar to Indian
ghee Fenugreek seeds are
used in the making
of çemen to a hot
paste used in
pastirma in Turkey
and Egypt Fenugreek seeds are
used as a condiment
and an ingredient
added to the
national dish called saltah in Yemen Fenugreek seeds are
used in preparing
tea by being boiled
then sweetened in
Egypt. This is a
popular winter drink
served in coffee
shops Fenugreek seeds are
sprinkled on a
semolina cake.
History
Fenugreek has a long
history as both a
culinary and
medicinal herb in
the ancient world.
It was one of the
spices the Egyptians
used for embalming,
and the Greeks and
Romans used it for
cattle fodder (hence
the Latin foenum
graecum meaning
Greek hay). It was
grown extensively in
the imperial gardens
of Charlemagne.
Health Benefits of
Fenugreek
The active
constituents in
fenugreek are
alkaloids, lysine
and L-tryptophan. It
also contains
steroidal saponins (diosgenin,
yamogenin, tigogenin,
and neotigogenin)
and mucilaginous
fiber which are
believed to be
responsible for many
of the beneficial
effects fenugreek
exhibits.
The chemical
compounds found in
fenugreek have the
ability to aid the
digestive process.
Consequently, when
taken with meals it
is believed that
fenugreek is able to
slow down the rate
at which sugars are
absorbed into the
body, whereby
regulating blood
sugar levels.
Additionally,
studies indicate
that
4-hydroxyisoleucine
(an amino acid)
found in fenugreek
may induce or
promote the
production of
insulin when blood
sugar levels are
elevated.
In studies of
animals and humans
with both Diabetes
and High Cholesterol
levels, fenugreek
appeared not only to
regulate blood sugar
levels but also
lower levels of
harmful cholesterol.
However, in studies
of those who did not
have diabetes, a
similar effect was
not reported.
As mentioned
previously fenugreek
contains a
substantial amount
of mucilaginous
fiber. The mucilage
found in fenugreek
does not dissolve
but instead swells
when mixed with
fluids. Since the
body cannot digest
the mucilage from
fenugreek it is
believed to be an
effective laxative.
As an external
application
fenugreek may sooth
irritated skin and
relieve surface
aches and pains.
Attributed Medicinal
Properties
Fenugreek is a
digestive aid. As an
emollient it is used
in poultices for
boils, cysts and
other complaints.
Reducing the sugar
level of the blood,
it is used in
diabetes in
conjunction with
insulin. It also
lowers blood
pressure. Fenugreek
relieves congestion,
reduces inflammation
and fights
infection. Fenugreek
contains natural
expectorant
properties ideal for
treating sinus and
lung congestion, and
loosens & removes
excess mucus and
phlegm. Fenugreek is
also an excellent
source of selenium,
an anti-radiant
which helps the body
utilize oxygen.
Fenugreek is a
natural source of
iron, silicon,
sodium and thiamine.
Fenugreek contains
mucilagins which are
known for soothing
and relaxing
inflamed tissues.
Fenugreek stimulates
the production of
mucosal fluids
helping remove
allergens and toxins
from the respiratory
tract. Acting as an
expectorant,
Fenugreek alleviates
coughing, stimulates
perspiration to
reduce fevers, and
is beneficial for
treating allergies,
bronchitis and
congestion. In the
East, beverages are
made from the seed
to ease stomach
trouble. The
chemical make-up is
curiously similar to
cod liver oil, for
which a decoction of
the seed is
sometimes used as a
substitute. Many
other properties are
ascribed to it in
India and the East
and not surprisingly
include aphrodisiac.
Fenugreek seeds
contain alkaloids,
including
trigonelline,
gentianine and
carpaine compounds.
The seeds also
contain fiber,
4-hydroxyisoleucine
and fenugreekine, a
component that may
have hypoglycemic
activity. The
mechanism is thought
to delay gastric
emptying, slow
carbohydrate
absorption and
inhibit glucose
transport.
Fenugreek may also
increase the number
of insulin receptors
in red blood cells
and improve glucose
utilization in
peripheral tissues,
thus demonstrating
potential
anti-diabetes
effects both in the
pancreas and other
sites. The amino
acid 4-
hydroxyisoleucine,
contained in the
seeds, may also
directly stimulate
insulin secretion.
Nutritional Value of
Menthulu (Fenugreek
Seeds)
Nutrition Facts
Serving Size
1 tbsp (11.1g)
Calories36
Calories from Fat6
% Daily Value*
Total Fat0.7g
1%
Saturated
Fat0.2g
1%
Cholesterol 0mg
0%
Sodium 7mg
0%
Total Carbohydrates6.5g
2%
Dietary Fiber 2.7g
11%
Protein 2.6g
Vitamin A 0%
• Vitamin C 1%
Calcium 2%
• Iron 21%
Preparation and
Storage
Dried
seeds should be
lightly roasted
before using (don’t
overdo it though, or
they will become
bitter). After
roasting, they are
easily ground. A
small amount will
complement many
other spices, but
too much can be
overpowering. If the
seeds are required
as part of a curry
paste they can be
soaked overnight to
swell and soften,
and be easily mixed
with the other
ingredients.
Quality Assurance
As we believe in
providing quality
products that are
close to nature, we
conduct various
stringent quality
tests under the
supervision of the
experts. These tests
are performed with
due care from the
very initial stage
of procurement of
the products to the
final stage of
delivery to the end
users.
Packaging
We also provide
reliable packaging
of the cardamom seed
oil and other
cardamom products.
During the packaging
procedure, we keep
the hygienic level
high and also ensure
that there is no
human touch.
Moreover, the
packaging has also
helped in the easy
and safe delivery of
the products.
We are dealing with
various esteemed
clients located in
India as well as in
the markets of New
Zealand and Dubai.
We also promise to
serve a superlative
range of cardamom
and cardamom
products which
includes green
cardamom powder to
our new customers as
we serve to our
existing satisfied
clientele. The
frequent and
concrete feedbacks
from our customers
have also helped in
the advancement of
the managerial
activities and
serving the products
as per the demand
prevailing in the
market. Last but not
the least; we are
also looking forward
to provide more
beneficial deals in
the forthcoming
years.
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Menthulu (Fenugreek Seeds)
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