Archive · 3 Aug 2026
TasteAtlas Adds Hing to Stinkiest Foods List, Sparks Debate
TasteAtlas, a food guide, put the spice hing on a list of the world’s stinkiest foods.
Hing is a common spice in India that smells very strong, like garlic or onions.
Some people think it’s stinky, while others say it’s just a strong flavor.
A nutritionist explained that the smell comes from sulfur chemicals that become milder when the spice is cooked.
Hing can help with digestion, but people on blood‑thinners or pregnant should be careful.
TasteAtlas listed hing (asafoetida) among the world’s stinkiest foods.
The spice is prized in Indian cuisine for its pungent aroma and depth of flavor.
Indian users argue the spice is not stinky but a strong, garlic‑like flavor.
Ashlesha Joshi explains the aroma comes from sulfur compounds that mellow when cooked.
Health benefits include antioxidant and digestive relief, but caution for certain groups.
- Who
- TasteAtlas, Indian users, Ashlesha Joshi
- What
- Hing was listed as one of the world’s stinkiest foods, sparking online debate
- When
- Recently
- Where
- Online via TasteAtlas Instagram and Indian kitchens
- Why
- To highlight survival origins of strong‑smelling foods and cultural differences in perception
- Food Listed
- Hing (asafoetida)
- Source
- TasteAtlas
- Reaction
- Indian users debate its smell
- Culinary Use
- Adds depth to dals, curries, vegetables
- Health Notes
- Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, digestive benefits; caution for certain groups