File Leaf ( Fee Lay Leaf) White or The Green Gumbo Powder.
The powdered leaves of the sassafras tree. This was imported from Guangzhou, China, so is likely to be from the Sassafras Tzumu variety. This file powder is whitish with a subtle greenish tinge and very fine. File powder is often for Cajun cuisine, especially Gumbo. The powder acts as a thickener when added to liquid dishes so is basically excellent for stews and some say certain lentil dishes. Long before the use of file powder for Creole and Cajun cooking, Choctaw Indians pounded sassafras leaves into powder and added them to soups and stews. Their powder tends to be greener and is added at the end of cooking. This one seems ok to be added at any time and works well to bind left over Chinese Stir fries into a cohesive new dish I have found.
For Creole or Cajun or Louisiana Jazz capital cooking too.
