fenugreek Fenugreek seeds are used as a spice in many regional Indian cuisines as well as in Ethiopia and Yemen. The seeds are actually legumes, small, irregularly shaped, and yellowish brown in color. They are very hard and have little aroma until dry-roasted and ground, when they smell somewhat of maple sugar. Fenugreek seed is available in specialty stores and in Indian groceries. Fenugreek leaves (methi in Hindi) are used both as an herb and as a green in many Indian dishes. They are available dried (and very occasionally fresh) in Indian groceries.