Asaphoetida resin?

[BratleFoodie]

Hi all,

Not sure if this is the right Chowhound forum to post in - apologies if it isn't!

Anyway, I am going nuts trying to find asaphoetida resin NOT powder. Every time I do a web search I end up at an Indian wholesale place in India, and then there was the place somewhere that was using the stuff for "Magicks" and selling black candles and well I want to avoid getting on their emailing list! It's been compounded powder the whole time.

Is there a store in Manhattan that actually sells the resin? I've checked out Kalustyans without luck. I keep hearing that the resin really is so much better in food, and I love the powder enough to make me want the resin!

Many thanks for your help in advance.

[THewat]

You might try Patel Brothers in Jackson Heights, Queens. I have a dim memory of inadvertently ending up with a block of asaphoetida rather than a powder several years ago - and being totally at a loss as to what to do with it.

[BratleFoodie]

Thanks for the tip!

Apparently, you whack the stuff with a hammer, or use a micro-grater, which sounds more sensible to me. It melts into the hot oil you are cooking with. And tastes better supposedly. I am dying to see if this is true or not!

[THewat]

Oooo- I still have it. Hard as a rock. Wonder if it ever goes bad. It says "compounded Asafoetida" on it - I'm guessing that's what you want. I'm sure I got it at Patel Brothers - and if you've never been there, it's SO worth the trip.

[BratleFoodie]

Weird that compounded stuff would be so hard. Usually it comes in powdered form, only 30% of asaphoetida in it. Give a micro-grater a try. The tool also is great for grating cheese!

p.s. Is your last name Hewat? Or are you "The Wat" as a handle. I ask because my last name is only one letter off!

[THewat]

I'm a hewat. Tracy. Pleased to meet you.

You have to remember the compounded asafoetida has been in my pantry for several years, but I think it was pretty hard when I got it. And brown. I use the powered stuff regularly.