The name Asafoetida comes from the Latin word “foetid” which means “smelly”. Rightly so, since Asafoetida, also known as ‘hing’ in Hindi, has a very distinct, pungent smell. This spice is used as a digestive aid, in food as a condiment, and in pickling. While on its own, the smell may strike you as overpowering and somewhat unpleasant, in cooking it mellows out and produces a flavor similar to onion […]