What Is Asafoetida or Hing?

Plant, resin and seasoning

Ferula is a genus of plants in the Apiaceae family. Asafoetida is the dried aromatic material collected from the underground parts of certain Ferula species; it is described commercially as an oleo-gum-resin.

The source plant is a perennial herb. The ingredient sold for culinary use is a resin or a prepared seasoning, rather than a bag of dried herb leaves.

Names you may encounter

• Asafoetida and asafetida in English ingredient descriptions
• Hing or heeng in Indian culinary and trade contexts
• Kovrak in Uzbek plant and resin discussions
• Асафетида in Russian and हींग in Hindi

Choose by form and purpose

Raw resin is relevant to buyers qualifying an ingredient for processing. Compounded hing is a prepared culinary product with a formulation that should be checked on its label.

A product's botanical name, ingredient list and documentation are more useful than a broad promise of natural quality. Ask which material is being supplied and how it is intended to be used.