Fenugreek Seed

Anyone who has tasted artificial maple flavoring knows the assertive flavor of methi seed. It is also one of the characteristic ingredients in commercial curry powders for export and figures in the frequently used Parsi spice mixes sambhar masala and dhana jiru. It has a powerful, lingering quality some people find disturbing, others exciting and comforting. One of the most popular Parsi pickles made with small green mangoes is known as methia nu achar, or fenugreek pickle, after its dominant flavoring ingredient.