Fenugreek Leaves / Methi

Also known asMethi · Trigonella foenum-graecum

Name: Fenugreek leaves, called methi in Hindi (Trigonella foenum-graecum) — small, three-lobed leaves with a distinctive, slightly bitter, maple-like aroma. The dried leaves are sold as kasuri methi.

Description

Fenugreek is native to south-eastern Europe and western Asia and has been cultivated for thousands of years, and the seeds were found in Egyptian tombs. India is today the largest producer, and the leaves are a staple in North Indian cooking, in dishes such as aloo methi (potatoes with fenugreek) and methi paratha.

Fresh leaves are bitter and fragrant, and are usually cooked to soften their edge, while the dried leaves (kasuri methi) are crushed over curries at the end for a deep, savoury aroma, as in butter chicken.

Main nutrition value

Fenugreek leaves provide vitamin K, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, calcium and fibre, and are among the more mineral-rich leafy greens.

How best to be consumed

Fenugreek leaves are cooked, and balanced by other flavours.

1. Sauté with potatoes, spices and onion for aloo methi.
2. Knead into flatbread dough for methi paratha and thepla.
3. Stir into dals, curries and rice dishes.
4. Crush dried kasuri methi between the palms and sprinkle in at the end of cooking.
5. Salt the chopped leaves for 10 minutes and squeeze to reduce bitterness.

Overconsumption could cause…

Fenugreek leaves are safe in food amounts, with some cautions for supplements.

1. Possible lowering of blood sugar, so people on diabetes medicines should check with a doctor.
2. Possible effects on warfarin and similar blood-thinning medicines because of the high vitamin K content, so keep intake steady rather than avoiding them.
3. Digestive upset such as gas and loose stools from large amounts.
4. Allergic reactions in people sensitive to chickpeas or peanuts, and avoidance in medicinal amounts during pregnancy.

GroupsLeafy Green VegetablesLegume familyIndianFresh

Related foodsPea ShootsAmaranth Greens / BayamBaby Bok ChoyBaby SpinachBeet GreensBlack Chickpeas / Kala Chana

Wikipedia — Fenugreek, used for origin, naming and history: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fenugreek