India, Aug. 7 -- "Hing ko English mein kya kehte hain?" The humble spice, which had its major pop culture moment in Kangana Ranaut's Queen in 2013, is back in the news. Hing aka asafoetida was recently named among the world's stinkiest foods by travel guide TasteAtlas. But what the list calls pungent, Indian foodies and chefs call comfort and the smell of home, while experts hail it for its health benefits.

TasteAtlas divided its World's Stinkiest Foods list in four distinct odour-intensity tiers: extreme, very high, medium-high, and moderately strong. Hing, described as a pungent resin spice, is placed in the medium-high level tier along with Limburger (soft-washed rind cheese), Rakfisl (fermented trout or char) and Cheonggukjang (fast-...