Asafoetida is the dried
latex (gum
oleoresin) exuded from the
rhizome or
tap root of several species of
Ferula, a
perennial herb that grows tall. The species is native to the deserts of
Iran, mountains of
Afghanistan, and is mainly cultivated in nearby
India. As its name suggests, asafoetida has a fetid smell (see etymology below) but in cooked dishes it delivers a smooth flavour reminiscent of
leeks.