Methi Leaves Podi

Methi leaves podi is an excellent chutney spice mix powder, is a mix of fenugreek leaves or methi leaves, coriander seeds, dals, red chillies, cumin seeds ,tamarind and garlic. Methi leaves podi is highly flavorful, spicy to taste, garlicky, earthy zest from cumin and coriander seeds, tanginess of the tamarind, wonderful crunchiness from the dals and the slight bitterness from the methi leaves offers a striking feel on the palate while eating.

Podis are dry powders made with spices, dals and other ingredients like curry leaves or dried herbs like coriander and mint. While some podis like Gun Powder (Milagai Podi) are served as dry chutney with Idli, Dosa and Uttapas, can also be served with hot rice and til oil.

Methi is a very popular green herb which is also commonly known as fenugreek leaves in English, menthya in Kannada, menthe akulu in Telugu. Fenugreek is grown throughout South Asia. It has a distinct taste and smell. It is native to the Middle East. Fenugreek is also an ancient spice, mostly used in pickles. Dry roasting enhances its flavour and reduces its bitterness.

Fenugreek are used in making a lot of dishes in India. Some of the popular dishes prepared in Indian cuisine are Methi Chicken, Methi Chaman, Methi Paratha etc.  In Indian cuisine, we use both the leaf and the spice as it has a slight sweet and bitter taste.  it is used as one of the main ingredients in curry powder or to flavour spiced vinegar.

Fenugreek is used both as an herb (the leaves) and as a spice (the seed). It is cultivated worldwide as a semi-arid crop and frequently used in curry. It is a very popular herb cooked in the major sub-continental region of India and Pakistan, usually together with potatoes and/or spinach, and eaten with Roti or Naan(flatbread) and/or rice. It is usually eaten boiled in China, and Central and Western Asia. Major fenugreek producing countries are India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Argentina, Egypt, France and China.

India is the largest producer of the fenugreek in the world and northern states of India like the Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttaranchal, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Punjab are the major producing states of fenugreek. Green Vegetables is one most vital ingredient that we need to include in our meal.  Indian cuisine is popularly known for using a wide variety of green vegetables in their cooking.

Prepartion tips:

• Buy methi leaves in small quantities, as the aroma will reduce if stored for too long.

Health tips:

• Fenugreek leaves are known to be rich source of steroidal saponins that prevent the absorption of cholesterol and triglycerides.


• If consumed twice a day, it cleans the intestines and directs the waste out of the body naturally.


• Fenugreek is an appetizer, relieves constipation.


• Methi leaves are rich in calcium, phosphorus and iron and its mineral and vitamin contents are also high, that’s why it is easily absorb by our body. 


• Leafy greens provide protection against diseases like high cholesterol, heart disease, and diabetes etc.

Methi leaves podi is an excellent chutney spice mix powder which goes well with rice or any South Indian breakfast foods like Idli, Vada, Dosa, Pesarattu, Uttappam or Upma.

Enjoy Cooking and always remember that: “VahrehVah is all about inspiring others to cook”!