The Asafoetida reference article from the English Wikipedia on 24-Apr-2004 (provided by Fixed Reference: snapshots of Wikipedia from wikipedia.org)

Asafoetida

Asafoetida, Ferula asafoetida (family Umbelliferae), is a resin gum which comes from the dried sap of the wild fennel genus Ferula. Chunks of asafoetida resin are too hard to be grated, and require a hammer to crush. Today, the most commonly available for is compounded asafoetida, a fine powder containing 30% asafoetida resin, along with rice flour and gum arabic.

It derives its English and scientific name from the Persian word for resin and Latin foetida, which refers to its strong sulfurous odor.

Also known as hing, its Hindi name, this spice is used as a digestive aid and in pickles. It is mainly grown in India and Kashmir.

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