Asafoetida हींग /æsəˈfɛtᵻdə/ is the dried latex (gum oleoresin) exuded from the rhizome or tap root of several species of Ferula, a perennial herb that grows 1 to 1.5 m (3.3 to 4.9 ft) tall. The species is native to the deserts of Iran and 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.