Re: Ferula
At 12:03 PM 8/2/1999 -0700, you wrote:
>Richard wrote:
>
>"Ferulas are the source of Asafoetida and Galbanum (from their respective
>species), two plant resins gathered by bleeding out the plant sap through
>deliberate wounds and letting it collect and evaporate. Picking these
>plants' `scabs' is done at appropriate times in the plants' life cycles
>(before flowering)."
>
>Are these used for medicinal or culinary purposes?
>
>Deborah
>
Deborah:
Actually, for both, and as a source of fragrances. Asafoetida is called
both Devil's Dung and Food of the Gods. It is extremely potent, and has
sulfur-based flavorants that are more potent than those of garlic. Some
natives wear it around their necks to fend off vampires. It is a frequent
component (sparingly!) in Iranian, Pakistani, Afghan, and Indian cooking.
It is a component of Worcestershire sauce.
Galbanum (F. galbaniflua) is similar, and is more used for medicine and
fragrances.
Richard F. Dufresne
313 Spur Road
Greensboro, NC 27406
336-674-3105
