asafoetida

/ah-sah-feh-TEE-dah/

Asafoetida is a potent pale brown resin or gum obtained from the root of the giant fennel grown in Afghanistan, India and Iran. It is used in powder or resin form. In small quantities it has a pronounced garlic flavour for which it can be substituted, but in larger quantities it is rank. It is known in Germany as teufelsdreck, devil's dung. It is said to combat flatulence.

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