File powder is a spicy seasoning made from the leaves of Sassafras trees, which are common in North America. It is also known as Gumbo File and is mainly used as a chief ingredient in making Creole and Cajun cuisine. The history of File Powder can be traced from the Choctaw Indians in Louisiana who first discovered that they can be made into powder. They used to gather sassafras leaves and ground them using stone mortar. When done, the Choctaw Indians would sell them at the French Market in New Orleans.

File powder is made by drying and grounding the Sassafras leaves. In the ancient times, Native Americans would pound the leaves until they become powdery. They used them to add a distinct flavor to their soups and stews. Since file powder is a thickener, it creates a slimy or saucy effect when added to water. Some of the famous recipes that use file powder as a main ingredient are chicken Andouille Gumbo, Creole Style Gumbo, Detroit Style Clam Chowder, and Turkey Carcass Gumbo. The file powder is often mixed with some pinches of ground thyme and added towards the end of cooking to create a savory flavor. People who love file powder make it very easy to spot cuisines with gumbo powder as they normally end with “Gumbo”.

The file powder can be bought in different supermarkets, such as Wal-Mart. However, it may also be made at home. Home-made file powder requires the leaves of sassafras tree. The leaves first have to be bundled together and dried for a few weeks. Once dried, the leaves may be ground using coffee grinder or spice grinder. Grinding the sassafras leaves produces a smell like that of a root beer. When the sassafras leaves are finally turned into powder, the finish product should be kept safe in a tightly covered container for future cooking use.