Fennel Seed
(Foeniculum Vulgare)
Also known as ‘Saunf / Variyali (India)’,'Mouri (Bengali)
Mistakenly called in English ‘Sweet Cumin’
Fennel seed are oval in shape, greenish brown or pale green colored dried fruit of the highly aromatic and flavorful fennel plant flowers. Seeds have a warm- sweet aroma and anise / licorice-like flavor that can lend an earthy, sweet taste to dishes.
Fennel seeds can be used whole or ground down into a powder and mix with other spices.
Suggested Uses:
Toasted or heated in a dry frying pan before grinding or crushing, will bring out the full
aroma. Fennel seeds are used to to flavor soups, tomato-based sauces, roasted
vegetables, beef and poultry dishes. More frequently used to flavor fish and seafood.
Also used in pickles, condiments, breads, cakes, pancakes, desserts, confectionery
and after dinner digestive drinks.
Health Benefits:
Medicinally fennel seeds have traditionally used to settle the stomach and digestive
system. Fennel seeds are often chewed (1½ tsp daily) after a meal in order to combat
bad breath, prevent gas or indigestion. Fennel seeds also promote lactation to
increase milk secretion.
