blocks, or powders, and are used in various confections, to give color and flavor to dark beers, porter, and stout, and to flavor tobacco for cigars, cigarettes, and chewing Many licorice candies are flavored with anise-like anethole (p 414), but licorice root itself has a more complex aroma, with almond and floral notes Thanks to its hormone-like chemical structure, glycyrrhizic acid has a number of effects on the human body, some helpful and some not It helps soothe coughs, but it also can disrupt normal regulation of mineral and blood pressure levels Licorice is therefore best consumed in moderation and infrequently; daily consumption can sometimes cause a significant rise in blood pressure and other problems Fenugreek Fenugreek is the small, hard seed of a bean relative, Trigonella foenumgraecum, that’s native to southwest Asia and the Mediterranean Its name comes from the Latin for “Greek hay.” Fenugreek is somewhat bitter and has a very distinctive sweet aroma, reminiscent of dry hay as well as maple syrup and caramel, that comes from a chemical called sotolon, which is also an important volatile in molasses, barley malt, coffee, soy sauce, cooked beef, and sherry The outer cell layer of the fenugreek seed contains a watersoluble storage carbohydrate (galactomannan), so that when the seeds are soaked, they exude a thick, mucilaginous gel that gives a pleasant slipperiness to some Middle-Eastern sauces and condiments (Yemen’s hilbeh) Fenugreek is a component of various spice mixtures, including Ethiopian berber and some Indian curry powders Fenugreek leaves are bitter and slightly aromatic, and are enjoyed as a fresh or dried herb in India and Iran Chillis ... chemical called sotolon, which is also an important volatile in molasses, barley malt, coffee, soy sauce, cooked beef, and sherry The outer cell layer of the fenugreek seed contains a watersoluble... carbohydrate (galactomannan), so that when the seeds are soaked, they exude a thick, mucilaginous gel that gives a pleasant slipperiness to some Middle-Eastern sauces and condiments (Yemen’s hilbeh)... hilbeh) Fenugreek is a component of various spice mixtures, including Ethiopian berber and some Indian curry powders Fenugreek leaves are bitter and slightly aromatic, and are enjoyed as a fresh or dried