Spice
Common Fenugreek
A tier
Common fenugreek is the everyday seed-trade name for standard Trigonella lots used in curry powders, pickles, and home tadkas. Expect hard angular seeds with maple-bitter aroma when crushed. Buy whole; grind as needed. Common seed is fine for weekly Indian and Ethiopian-inspired cooking. If seeds smell dusty or rancid-oily, replace the jar.
Track this ingredient
Unit
Characteristics
Preparations
Curry PowderHome GrindPickleTemper
Traits
BitterCommonCurry WorkhorseEveryday TradeMaple BitterWarmWhole Seed BinWorkhorse
History
Colonial trade listed common fenugreek among bulk spices.
Supermarket curry powders relied on common fenugreek seed.
Whole common fenugreek returned to home spice grinders’ favour.
Everyday Indian groceries kept common fenugreek as a staple bin spice.