Fenugreek is an annual legume that resembles alfalfa. Its long, narrow seedpods contain ten to twenty small seeds each. The seeds are incredibly hard and can be mistaken for pebbles; they must be prepared before being consumed.

As a spice, fenugreek is especially popular in India and is commonly used in curries and spice mixes like curry powder. Dry roasting or frying the seeds softens them and turns their pungency and slightly bitter taste into a maple syrup-like flavor. The taste is so similar that fenugreek is used commercially to make imitation maple syrup.

Medicinally, studies show that fenugreek has the potential to lower cholesterol and control blood sugar. The seeds also contain a fiber (mucilage) that becomes gelatinous when soaked in water, making fenugreek useful for soothing minor wounds and sore throats.