Vanns Spices Gumbo File (Sassafras)
Vanns Spices was founded in Baltimore, MD in 1981 to provide premium quality seasoning blends and spices for the professional chef and cooking enthusiast. Guided by our commitment to great taste, health and sustainability, Vanns continues to scour the world in search of unusual spices and to develop new products.
- Filé powder, also known as gumbo filé, is an herbal powder made from the dried and ground leaves of the sassafras tree (Sassafras albidum), native to eastern North America.
- The roots and bark of this same plant were the original base for root beer.
- Powdered sassafras leaves were first used in cooking by the Choctaw Indians of the Southern U.S.
- When the Cajuns (Acadians) arrived in Southern Louisiana, they began using the spice as a thickener and flavoring in their soups, stews, and gumbos.
- Filé powder is generally added at the end of the cooking process, or stirred into a single serving of hot gumbo.
- Gumbo File is the essential seasoning for authentic New Orleans gumbo.
- Gumbo File has a bitter essence and compliments soups, stews, seafood and gumbo.
