Asafoetida (Ferula assa-foetida), alternative spelling asafetida, (also known as devil’s dung, stinking gum, asant, food of the gods, giant fennel, Jowani badian, heeng(in Hindi) and ting) is the dried latex (gum oleoresin) exuded from the living underground rhizome or tap root of several species of Ferula, which is a perennial herb (1 to 1.5 m high). The species is native to the mountains of Afghanistan, and is mainly cultivated in nearby India. Asafoetida has a pungent, unpleasant smell when raw, but in cooked dishes, it delivers a smooth flavor, reminiscent of leeks. more
