Tirupati Chemical Industries

Chawar Gate, Hathras, Uttar Pradesh

Asafoetidaisa plant ofIranianorigin (height 1 to 1.5 m) ofthe fennel species. These plants grow from the Mediterranean region to Tajakisthan, Uzbakisthan, iranand some parts of Afghanistan. Asafoetida is a perennial herb. The dry vegetable milk oozing from the underground rhizomes and upper roots of different species of this plant (three of these grow in India) is used as asafoetida. Raw asafoetida tastes likegarlic, but when it is cooked in a dish, it enhances its taste. Itis called 'Hingu' inSanskrit .

There are two types of asafoetida - one is Kabuli Sufaid (milky white asafoetida) and the other is red asafoetida. Asafoetida has a sharp and bitter taste and due to the presence ofsulphurin it , it emits an unpleasant pungent smell. It is available in three forms - 'Tears', 'Mass' and 'Paste'. 'Tears', circular and thin, is the pure form of the resin. Its diameter is five to 30 mm and the colour is brown and pale yellow. 'Mass' - Asafoetida is the common commercial form which is solid in form. 'Paste' contains more elements. White and yellow asafoetida are water soluble while dark and black asafoetida are oil soluble. Due to its sharp smell, pure asafoetida is not preferred, rather it is mixed with starch and gum and sold in the form of a compound in the form of a brick. This is the first time its cultivation will be done in Himachal Pradesh, India.