Fenugreek, an indian spice is a slender annual herb of the pea family (Fabaceae). It was used by the ancient Egyptians and is mentioned in medical writings in their tombs. The Romans grew it as fodder for their cattles. Historically, the main usage of fenugreek seeds was medicinal rather than as a labour. The botanical name trigonella refers to the angular seeds and foenum graecum translates as 'Greek hay', which explains its use as cattle feeds.

This robust herb has light green leaves, is 30-60 cm tall and produces slender, beaked pods, 10-15 cm long, each pod contains 10-20 small hard yellowish brown seeds, which are smooth and oblong, about 3mm long, each grooved across one corner, giving them a hooked appearance. Fenugreek whole is a native of South Eastern Europe and West Asia, now cultivated in India, Argentina, Egypt and Mediterranean countries (Southern France, Morocco and Lebanon).
In India it is grown extensively in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Punjab. It is a cold season crop and is fairly tolerant to frost and very low temperature. It is best suited to tracts of moderate to low rainfall and is sown in all types of soil but perform better in loam and clayey loam with proper drainage. It can also be grown on black cotton soils.
Growing fenugreek is during October and February and is grown in Gujarat, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

BOTANICAL NAME
Trigonella foenum-graecum L.

FAMILY NAME
Fabaceae 

COMMERCIAL PART : Fruit
General characteristics: 
Fenugreek seeds shall:
1. Be the dried mature seeds of the plant botanically known as (Trigonella foenum graecum L.); 
2. Be free from mould, live insects, any harmful foreign matter and musty odour; 
3. Generally conform to the characteristic size, shape, taste, colour and aroma of the variety / type.

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