Origin: India. The name fenugreek comes from the Latin meaning "Greek hay." Fenugreek is somewhat bitter & has a distinctive sweet aroma, reminiscent of dry hay as well as caramel & maple syrup, that comes from a chemical called sotolon, which is also an important volatile in molasses, coffee, barley malt & soy sauce. The outer cell layer of the fenugreek seed contains a water soluble storage carbohydrate, so that when the seeds are soaked they exude a thick, mucilaginous gel that gives pleasant slipperiness to some Middle Eastern sauces & condiments