Origin: India. Fenugreek, also known as Helba in the Middle East, grows as a small hard seed & is native to Asia & the Middle East. Fenugreek is a component of various spice mixtures, including Ethiopian berber & some Indian curry powders. Historically this spice has been mentioned as far back as ancient Egypt, & it has always followed herders of cattle, sheep & goats. Thus any cuisine heavy in lamb or beef has found ways of incorporating its taste into its blends, the stews of Persia & Moorish Africa being main examples. In Egypt, fenugreek is mixed with olive oil & sumac & spread on pita bread or eaten directly from the fingers