Fenugreek Seed (Rhomboid or rectangular, reddish-brown, each side with deep oblique grooves, hard, endosperm thick, slippery when rubbed, swells greatly when soaked in water)

【Naming】

Fenugreek Seed

 【Source】

Jia You (Song Dynasty)

 【Common Use Level】

C

 【Botanical Origin】

Dried mature seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum L. of the Leguminosae family.

 【Appearance】

Slightly rhomboid or rectangular, 3-4mm long, 2-3mm wide, and about 2mm thick. The surface is yellowish-brown to reddish-brown, smooth with a slight luster, with a deep oblique groove on each side, and the hilum and micropyle can be seen where the grooves meet. The texture is hard and not easily broken. The seed coat is thin, the cotyledons are light yellow, and the radicle is curved, large and long. It has a slight odor, and a peculiar aroma when crushed, and the taste is slightly bitter.

 【Processing】

1. Fenugreek Seed 2. Stir-fried Fenugreek Seed

 【Identification】

“Zheng Lei Ben Cao”: “Foreign merchants plant the seeds outside the Ling mountains, but they are not as good as those collected in foreign lands.” “Ben Cao Gang Mu”: “Song said: Ship passengers plant the seeds outside the Ling mountains, but they are not as good as those from foreign lands.” “Ben Cao Bei Yao”: “Those from Lingnan foreign ships are good, it is said to be foreign Radish Seed.” “Good and Bad Discrimination”: “Those with a purple color and are heavy are superior.” The best ones are those with large, full grains, yellow color, and no impurities.

 【Category】

Seeds