Spice guide / Comparisons

Fenugreek seeds vs kasuri methi

Same plant family in the kitchen, different jobs. Seeds are bitter and used sparingly in sambar powder and pickles. Kasuri methi is crumbled over North Indian gravies.

Culinary differences only. Traditional use is not scientific evidence of a medical effect.

Fenugreek

मेथी · Trigonella foenum-graecum

Bitter-maple seeds and dried leaves (kasuri methi).

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Dried fenugreek leaves

कसूरी मेथी · Trigonella foenum-graecum

Dried fenugreek leaves

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Flavour and kitchen job

Seeds need toasting or soaking to tame bitterness. Leaves are aromatic when crushed in the palm.

When to use which

  • Fenugreek seeds in sambar blends, pickles, and some vegetable tadkas.
  • Kasuri methi at the end of butter chicken, methi malai, and tandoori marinades.

Do not dump a teaspoon of seeds into a butter chicken thinking it replaces kasuri methi.

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