Asafoetida(Hing)

What is Asafoetida:

Asafoetida (Ferulaasafoetida) is the dried sap — or gum resin — obtained from the roots of Ferula plants. It’s commonly dried, ground into a coarse, yellow powder, and used for either culinary or medicinal purposes

While it’s native to Afghanistan and Iran, asafoetida is commonly used in Indian cuisine, where it’s referred to as hing

As a seasoning, asafoetida is known for its strong, pungent odor, which is due to its high concentration of sulfur compounds. In fact, due to its unpleasant smell, it’s sometimes referred to as stinking gum

However, when cooked, its flavor and smell become much more palatable and are often described as being similar to those of leeks, garlic, and even meat

In Ayurvedic medicine, Asafoetida)hing(is used to aid digestion and gas, as well as treat bronchitis and kidney stones. During the Middle Ages, some people wore the dried gum around their necks to help ward off infection and disease.