| Fennel,
the "Sweet Cumin"
A
small, green, crescent shaped seed obtained from a bulbless
variety of the fennel plant. The seeds, which are used
as a spice, are available whole or ground and have a
slight licorice flavor.
Fennel
is native to southern Europe (especially by the Mediterranean)
and southwestern Asia. It comes mainly from India and
Egypt and it has a mild anise-like flavor, but is more
aromatic and sweeter. Fennel is used as a vegetable
and herb in Europe but in Asia only the seeds are used.
The flavor is distinctly aniseed, and the seed is like
a larger, paler version of cumin seed. The seeds of
fennel are sometimes referred to as 'sweet cumin', perhaps
because of their similar appearance - certainly not
for any flavor similarity.
Fennel is also used as a flavouring in some natural
toothpastes. Some people employ it as a diuretic, while
others use it to improve the milk supply of breastfeeding
mothers.
Many cultures in the Indian subcontinent and the Middle
East incorporate fennel seed into their culinary traditions.
In the west, fennel seed is a very common ingredient
in Italian sausages and northern European rye breads.
Essential oil of Fennel is included in .......
Click here to read more about this healthy spice
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