Filé Powder
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Filé Powder is an herbal thickening agent for gumbo made primarily from ground sassafras leaves. Filé Powder has a flavor that is reminiscent of anise and lemon, and smells like citrus with a bit of eucalyptus. It’s got bitter notes that may remind you of root beer, and that’s because sassafras roots were that soda’s principle flavoring agent. Ground sassafras is mixed with ground thyme in our Filé Powder to enhance the herbal lemon flavor to this blend.
Ingredients
Ground sassafras powder and ground thyme
How to Use
Filé Powder should be used sparingly as it is very potent. If you add too much, cook it for too long, or cook it at too high a heat, your dish will likely turn stringy and gummy.