Benefits & Uses of Kasuri Methi

Kasuri Methi, sometimes also spelled Kasoori Methi, is a culinary herb used in a number of cuisines around the world, including but not limited to Indian, Turkish, Persian, Egyptian, Ethiopian and Yemeni cooking. Although kasoori methi is nothing but dried fenugreek leaves, the herb gained popularity and its name from Kasur, a region in Punjab (the one in Pakistan), where it grows in plentiful. The spice has a rich history, and is being used as a condiment since 4000 BC, almost 6000 years ago! You can find kasuri methi in stores across India, but if you wish to buy it online, you can do so from KudratKart. KudratKart has a host of spices, oils, honey and other culinary products available for daily consumption, from brands such as Modern Agro which guarantee purity. Let us now learn more about kasuri methi, a flavorful and health-packed herb.

Taste of Kasuri Methi

In itself, kasoori methi has musky and pungent smell and a bitter taste. However, when added to dishes and other food preparations, it provides a savoury and intense smell which makes one’s mouth water.

Nutrition in Kasuri Methi

Kasoori methi is packed with nutrition, and isn’t just valued for its taste and smell. Its nutritional profile is as follows:

1. Vitamins: Dried fenugreek leaves are a good source of vitamin C and vitamin K. Although the drying process reduces the amount of vitamin C, it still has enough to be considered a rich source.

2. Flavonoids: Flavonoids are antioxidants which reduce oxidative stress and fight free radicals, preventing a number of diseases and well as aging. They are the secrets to a long and youthful life. Dried fenugreek leaves contain quercetin and rutin, which are well-known for their antioxidant properties.

3. Minerals: Dried fenugreek leaves also contain a substantial amount of calcium and iron, which are minerals required for healthy bones and blood, respectively.

4. Fibre: Dried fenugreek leaves are also quite fibrous, and thus promote good digestive and heart health.

• 1 gram of kasuri methi contains:
• 4 Calories
• 0.2 grams of protein
• 0.6 grams of carbohydrates
• 0.2 grams of fibre
• 0.8% of your RDA (recommended dietary allowance) of Calcium
• 3% of your RDA of Iron (RDA is as per a 2000 Calorie diet)

Benefits of Kasuri Methi

Apart from being a flavorful and aromatic herb, as well as having a great nutritional profile, kasuri methi is also densely packed with health benefits. Let’s have a look:

1. Gastrointestinal benefits: Because dried fenugreek leaves have a good amount of fibre as mentioned before, it helps ease gastrointestinal problems such as constipation. Its antioxidants also help improve digestion and keep diseases such as stomach inflammation, diarrhoea, and IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) at bay. However, one must ensure to buy from only FSSAI assured brands such as Modern Agro, and from a trusted source such as KudratKart that guarantee purity and no adulteration.

2. Cholesterol Reduction: You must have probably heard that cholesterol is bad for you. But did you know that not all cholesterol is bad for you? Cholesterol is of two types, namely HDL (High density lipoprotein) and LDL (Low density lipoprotein). It is the LDL that is bad for you. Kasoori methi reduces the LDL or bad cholesterol, along with triglycerides (a type of fat), and increases the HDL in your body, which benefits you. This can greatly benefit people suffering from diabetes and/or heart problems.

3. Diabetes Control: While we are on the subject of diabetes, kasuri methi also helps control the levels of glucose in your body, which can help people with type-II diabetes. Diabetic people are unable to metabolize carbohydrates properly, and dried fenugreek leaves in their food helps with that. Kasoori methi also improves the functioning of insulin in diabetic people, thus being a very beneficial herb for them.

4. Prevention of Respiratory Problems: Kasuri methi is known to cure allergies and congestion in the body due to its vitamin C content. It also helps clean the throat. This is why it recommended during winters to keep respiratory problems like cold and flu away. The compounds present in dried fenugreek leaves also help in maintaining the mucus levels of the body, another reason it is good for your respiratory system.

5. Prevention of Skin Problems: Foods with good antioxidant content are always a great addition to your diet as they help maintain healthy, clear skin. Kasuri methi has substantial antioxidants in it, which help your body clear out toxins naturally and keep the skin healthy and youthful. Include kasoori methi in your diet to prevent skin diseases like eczema, acne, sunburn and pimples from affecting you.

Uses of Kasuri Methi

While you can use kasuri methi in your food as you like, there are certain food preparations in which it is usually used. It can also be roasted or crushed before adding it in dishes to further amplify its flavour. These include:

1. Aloo Methi: Because dried fenugreek leaves taste amazing with starchy foods such as potatoes and carrots, it is customarily added in aloo methi ki sabzi to enhance its flavour.

2. Vegetable Curries: Dried fenugreek leaves are sprinkled on the top of vegetable curries in the end as a garnish to enhance their flavour. You can use it to garnish mutter paneer, aloo dum, tamatar aloo, vegetable jalfrezi, and even rajma and chhole. There are also certain dishes known for the addition of kasoori methi in them, such as methi matar malai, a lip-smacking preparation.

3. Indian Breads: Kasuri methi is also used in certain Indian breads such as methi naan, which works best when eaten with vegetable, chicken or mutton stews.

4. Raitas: Kasoori methi also makes a great addition to raitas, which is a tangy preparation made with curd and vegetables.

Storing of Kasuri Methi

There are certain precautions you must take while storing kasoori methi, as it loses its aroma with time. It is best to store it in a refrigerated, kept in a sealed bag or jar, which can increase its shelf life upto 6 months. Ensure that you keep it free from moisture.

Final Words

Like many herbs and spices found in the Indian cuisine, Kasoori Methi is an invaluable condiment. And like with all treasured condiments, there is a lot of adulterated product circulating in the market. To ensure that you only buy and consume fresh and pure spices and herbs, buy from a trusted source such as KudratKart, which is a one-stop shop for all your culinary needs. It makes brands like Modern Agro and Gopal available to you, which are associated with the Government of India, and are approved by the Food Safety and Standard Authority of India (FSSAI). Happy shopping!