Asafoetida

Asafoetida has several different names as well as an alternate spelling. Asafoetida can be spelled asafetida, it is also known as the devil’s dung, stinking gum, and asant, food of the god’s, giant fennel, ting, and hing. When in its raw form the smell is unpleasant but when cooked it smells much pleasantly like leeks.  This spice is used a digestive aid as well as a condiment and in pickling. This spice must be kept in an airtight container as the horrendous odor will contaminate the rest of your spices in the raw form. The spice is normally cooked in oil and imparts a sautéed onion and garlic flavor. Asafoetida is also used an anti inflammatory and as an anti flatulent. Asafoetida is normally paired up with turmeric and is used in a lot of Indian cooking. Asafoetida root’s also has antiviral properties that were used in 1918 to fight the Spanish influenza and later in modern today’s time the swine flu.