Origin Various species of genus Ferula grow wild from the Eastern Mediterranean to Central Asia. It has been suggested that stone-age nomad tribes might have indeed used the hollow stems to transport fire between their camps. The same Latin root appears in the botanical name of mango . It is still an important ingredient in Persia, and is popular with some Brahmins in India who refuse to eat garlic.
Usage differs a little bit for the powdered form and the pure resin.
A pea-sized amount is considered a large amount, sufficient to flavour a large pot of food. Powdered asafetida, on the other hand, is less intense and may be added without frying, although then the aroma develops less deeply. Daring cooks will find asafetida an interesting alternative to onion and garlic , even for Western dishes. Another method is dissolving asafetida in hot oil and adding the oil drop by drop to the food. If used with sufficient moderation, asafetida enhances mushroom and vegetable dishes, but can also be used to give fried or barbecued meat a unique flavour.