asafoetida
1
9.9
A brown spice that smells very strong and adds flavour to Indian lentil dishes
- noun
- /ˌæsəˈfɛtɪdə/
:
asafoetida
- In traditional Indian cooking, asafoetida is often used for its distinct flavor and aroma.
- a pinch of asafoetida
In fact, the word asafetida means fetid gum.
- In fact, the word asafetida means fetid gum.
Examples
-
The chills would continue too, and would gradually usher him through death's door, unless he drank a decoction of asafoetida, oil of cloves, and purslane daily for a month, beginning as soon as possible.
Fiction book (2002) -
To enhance the flavor of the curry, add a pinch of asafoetida to the frying pan.
-
You can substitute asafoetida for garlic in recipes to achieve a similar taste.
Synonyms
9.9
A bitter, strong-smelling gum that people use in traditional medicine and as a spice
is used mainly as a pungent cooking spice rather than primarily for medicine
How Pungent
Surface Forms
asafoetida singular
asafoetidas plural
Etymology
Asafoetida comes from two parts: asa, a name for the resin used in India, also called 'hing', and Latin foetida, meaning 'smelly'. So the name is like a 'smelly resin', which fits this strong spice used in cooking and medicine.