General Information :- Indigenous to the countries bordering the eastern shores of the Mediteranean and extending to central Asia, Fenugreek is one of the oldest cultivated spices in thee world. Fenugreek is the ripe, dried fruit of an annual leguminous herb that grows upto 30 to 60 cms in height and produces horn shape pods. Each pod contains 10 to 12 small seeds, each about 3 cms long. These vary in colour from olive green to yellow-brown and shapes ranging from square to oblong. When the seeds are ripe, the plants are pulled up and dried. The seeds are then threshed and dried further.

Fenugreek has strong, pleasant and quite pecuiar aodour. Its aromatic smell dominates curry powder.

It is a used in foods including cattle fodder. Fenugreek is found to be a good source of protein, vitamins and minerals . Cultivation of Fenugreek restores nitrogen to soil. Ancient Egyptians used a paste form of ground fenugreek as a remedy for fever and also for embalming. It is now used in the manufacture of oral contraceptives. It is used to treat a large number of disorders like diabetes, bronchitis, kin irritation and reproductive problems.