Filé powder, a crucial ingredient in Cajun and Creole cuisine, is derived from the leaves of the sassafras tree (Sassafras albidum). This unique spice adds a distinctive flavor and thickening agent to dishes like gumbo, making it an essential component of Southern cooking. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in filé powder farming, as chefs and home cooks alike seek to incorporate authentic and locally sourced ingredients into their recipes.