Fenugreek
Trigonella foenum-graecum

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A small herb. It grows up to 30-60 cm tall. It spreads 20-30 cm wide. It grows each year from seed. The leaves have 3 leaflets like clover. The leaflets are oval and do not have stalks. They are 1.3-2.7 cm long by 0.5-1.7 cm wide. They are spoon shaped with teeth and a rounded tip. They narrow towards the base. The leaves are light green. The flowers are small and pea like. They are yellow. The fruit is a long narrow pod. It has a pronounced beak. The seeds are like small golden brown pieces of gravel.

The seeds contain hormone precursors which increase breast milk. The are also used to cure diabetes.

Where it is found

It suits dry temperate and subtropical regions. It needs a well-drained soil. It needs a sunny position. In Nepal they grow up to 2500 m altitude. It can tolerate frost. It can grow in acid, neutral and alkaline soils. It can grow in salty soils. It grows in areas with an annual rainfall between 380-1,530 mm. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. Hobart Botanical Gardens. In Sichuan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Afghanistan, Africa, Albania, Algeria, Arabia, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Bangladesh, Belgium, Britain, Bulgaria, Caucasus, Central Asia, Chile, China, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, East Africa, Egypt, Estonia, Ethiopia, Europe (country/location of origin), Fiji, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lebanon, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mediterranean, Middle East, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Palestine, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, SE Asia, Serbia, Sikkim, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, Southern Africa, South America, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Tibet, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, USA, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

The seeds can be sprouted and eaten. They are also soaked and cooked. The seeds are ground and used as a spice. They are used in curry powder. The leaves can be eaten as a vegetable. They are also dried and mixed into vegetable dishes. The bitter taste of the seeds can be removed by slightly dry roasting. The roasted seeds are used as a coffee substitute. The seeds and leaves can be brewed into a tea. The seeds produce an oil.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.

Edible parts

Seeds, leaves, herb, spice, young pods, vegetable

How it is grown

Plants are grown from seed. The seeds are sown directly. They are thinned out to 10 cm between plants.

Plants mature in 3-5 months. The seeds are harvested when ripe. Often the whole plant is pulled up and dried and the seed threshed out. They are dried in a warm dry spot. They are normally dried to 10% moisture.

Its other names

Local names

Alba, Alholva, Asumodhagam, Bhaji, Bird's foot, Bockshornklee, Cemenotu, Chandrika, Cow's horn, Fenogreco, Fenugrec, Fieno greco, Goat's horn, Greek hay seed, Helbeh, Hilbah, Hilbeh, Ho-lo-ba, Hoemgreeb, Houjeh, Ku tou, Manthya, Menk-palle, Mente, Mentesoppu, Mentikoora, Mentulu, Methi ka saag, Methi sak, Methi-shak, Methi, Methika, Methini, Methuka, Mnogosemenski triplat, Muthi, Pe-natha, Uluhaal, Uluva, Vandeyam, Venthiam

Synonyms

Trigonella tibetana (Alef.) Vassilcz.;