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Fenugreek

Fenugreek suppliers and sourcing guide

Fenugreek is Trigonella foenum-graecum, an annual legume grown mainly in India, the Middle East and North Africa for its hard, yellow-brown seeds. The seeds are sold whole or ground as a spice, and the supplement trade also buys extracts made by steeping the seed in water or water-ethanol, often standardized to furostanol saponins or to the seed's soluble galactomannan fiber. Branded seed extracts differ in solvent, marker compound and percentage.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Trigonella foenum-graecum · methi · Greek hay · fenugreek seed extract
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of fenugreek

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Whole or ground seed

    Cleaned, dried seed sold whole or milled to a powder by mesh size, as a spice or for capsules, with no standardization.

  • Standardized seed extract

    Water or hydroalcoholic seed extract dried to a powder and sold with a minimum percentage of saponins or furostanol glycosides by a named HPLC or gravimetric method.

  • Galactomannan fiber

    Seed gum or fiber fraction with a declared galactomannan content, used as a thickener or fiber ingredient.

  • Organic

    Seed or powder from certified organic crops, with the organic certificate tied to the lot.

  • Oleoresin and flavor extracts

    Solvent extracts of the seed used as flavorings, for example in maple-type flavors.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Identity (HPTLC or microscopy)
Chromatographic fingerprint or microscopic examination to confirm Trigonella foenum-graecum seed and flag other legume seeds.
Saponin or marker assay
Total saponins, furostanol glycosides or 4-hydroxyisoleucine by a named HPLC or gravimetric method; results from different methods are not interchangeable.
Heavy metals
Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury by ICP-MS, checked against the buyer's limits and any Prop 65 exposure targets.
Microbiology
Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliforms or E. coli, and Salmonella. Raw powders carry more microbial load than extracts and are often steam treated.
Pesticides and aflatoxins
Multi-residue pesticide screen and aflatoxins B1, B2, G1, G2, since seeds stored warm and damp can carry mold.
Physical tests
Loss on drying, mesh size, bulk density and, for extracts, the extract ratio, carrier and residual ethanol.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Keep seed and powder sealed in lined bags or drums in a cool, dry place away from light; ground seed loses aroma and picks up moisture faster than whole seed. Extracts are hygroscopic, so reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification.

Lots and expiry dates

Saponin content, aroma and metals vary with growing region and harvest, so check each lot's COA against your specification. Record the marker compound and method used, the extract ratio and any carrier, and rotate stock FEFO.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Fenugreek suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking fenugreek suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

Sell fenugreek? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of fenugreek can brands buy?

Common forms include whole or ground seed, standardized seed extract, galactomannan fiber, organic and oleoresin and flavor extracts. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for fenugreek include?

Expect identity (HPTLC or microscopy), saponin or marker assay, heavy metals, microbiology, pesticides and aflatoxins and physical tests, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should fenugreek be stored?

Keep seed and powder sealed in lined bags or drums in a cool, dry place away from light; ground seed loses aroma and picks up moisture faster than whole seed. Extracts are hygroscopic, so reseal opened containers promptly. Shelf life or a retest date comes from the supplier's specification.

What is the regulatory status of fenugreek?

21 CFR 182.10 lists fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) among spices and other natural seasonings and flavorings generally recognized as safe for their intended use. 21 CFR 182.20 also lists fenugreek among essential oils, oleoresins (solvent-free) and natural extractives generally recognized as safe for their intended use. Health Canada's Fenugreek (oral) natural health product monograph lists Trigonella foenum-graecum with the dried seed as the source part. The EU Novel Food status Catalogue entry for Trigonella foenum-graecum (POL-NF-00757) states that only the seeds have been used as food in the EU before 15 May 1997.

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