Does anyone know where I can buy File Powder to use in Gumbo?
I've both looked and asked at Kroger's and they act like
they've never heard of it. With the Lenten Season upon us
again, I'd love to make some Seafood Gumbo

I know of no one who lives in Louisiana.

I'd really appreciate some help here. Thanks

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May you always have..Love to Share, Health to Spare, and Friends that Care!

Is file powder a spice?

I just called our local grocery store, and they have two different brands, both are 1.25 ounces, one if for 1.79 and the other is for 1.69..... if you would like, I can pick it up today and put it in the mail to you

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~John Greenleaf Whittier~

File powder? Hmmm! I make a lot of that in my shop whenever I am filing on a piece of steel. This stuff would certainly be a way to get a bunch of iron into your diet. But it�s probably not what you�re looking for. Plus the taste might not be all that great and also it would be a little on the gritty side.

Hello EarlyBird...this would be Waaaayyy "LateBird", but it's still a bit early for me, so I came here just browsing around a bit.

I am from that wonderful Texas, not La, but do know that what you are looking for is File' .

I am a bit surprised you cannot find it, but would tell you this. When you buy File' by itself, unless you intend to use it a lot, you will be stuck w/something that latter may not taste fresh and can be pricey (though it does stay good for quite well).

I have found that I best enjoy just buying some mixes (gumbo) that include the File'.

You 'might' end up buying several spices to mix up those good gumbos, and that always adds up in coins.

I too would be glad to pick some up and get it to you, but I would first encourage you to ask again at your store/stores, as just today the clerk told me they did not carry my Stevia....but there it was right on the top shelf.

Good luck to you.

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"There are sadistic scientists who hurry to hunt down errors instead of establishing the truth."

I'm going to take Just Me up on her offer and get 2 bottles.
TexSChic, I found no Gumbo mixes either, or I would
have gone that route. But, thanks for your imput.
No, Mad Sci - no metal dust for me. I'm already
rusty enuff!

It's my understanding that one uses 1 TBSP of File Powder
to each quart of Gumbo. In the size pot I use that would
be about 4 or 5 TBSP per batch. However, it can also be
used in stews/soups for thickening. I'll have enuff to
experiment with.

This present batch -without File - is really delish, tho I
could have used more Okra.

www.alaskaspice.com/index.cfm

www.thespicehouse.com/

These are 2 other sources I received for File Powder,
Recipes, all kinds of info, etc.

Hey, you are all using a foreign language. What is File powder? A flavouring of some kind?
What flavour? Is it chilli hot? Please tell this foregner what you are talking about!

I had to find out about this powder, so Wikipedia says

Fil� powder, also called gumbo fil�, is a spice made from dried and ground sassafras leaves. It is used in the making of some types of gumbo, a thick Cajun soup. It is sprinkled sparingly over gumbo as a flavoring and thickening agent, giving it a distinctive flavor and texture. Fil� was originally an okra substitute when okra was not in season.

Safrole, the main constituent of sassafras oil which is distilled from the bark of sassafras roots, has been shown to cause liver cancer in laboratory rats.[1] However, sassafras leaves are free of safrole and are safe for consumption.

Thanks Xania I had figured it to be a thickening agent of
some sort. For really good Gumbo, it's also necessary to
make a very dark roux. Got this from watching Emeril
on TV last night, when he made Duck Gumbo. It seems
that all the Gumbos require the dark roux, okra and
sausage, like smoked sausage, the Trinity - onion, celery
and bell peppers.