Fennel seeds or anise seeds? Fennel seeds are more popular in the U.S. while anise is used mostly in India, China, Greece, and Italy. The two shrubs are similar in appearance and aroma, but they have different flavors and cooking properties.
Fennel seeds are often dry roasted with cumin seeds before being added to soups or dishes to add a slightly sweet taste. Anise has a strong licorice flavor that is best used when you want to add depth to other spices like cinnamon or nutmeg.
There are many ways to use both fennel and anise in your dishes, so take this guide into consideration when deciding which seed will fit your needs best!
What are the differences between fennel and anise?
Fennel and anise are similar in appearance and aroma, but the two seeds have different flavors and cooking properties.
Fennel seeds are often dry roasted with cumin seeds before being added to soups or dishes to add a slightly sweet taste. Anise has a strong licorice flavor that is best used when you want to add depth to other spices like cinnamon or nutmeg.
There are many ways to use both fennel and anise in your dishes, so take this guide into consideration when deciding which seed will fit your needs best!
How to use fennel seeds
Fennel seeds have a slightly sweet flavor that pairs well with other spices like cumin, cinnamon, and nutmeg. They’re often dry roasted before being used in dishes to add a slightly sweet taste.
Fennel seeds are most commonly used in Indian cuisine, but they can also be found in Italian dishes such as fish stews and soups. Fennel is also a common ingredient in Middle Eastern countries like Lebanon and Iran where it’s used to make pastries and breads.
How to use anise seeds
Anise seeds are a versatile spice that can be used in many different types of dishes. They pair well with cinnamon and nutmeg, and can also be used to flavor licorice or sugar candy. To use them, just sprinkle them over the top of your dish before it is cooked and take note of the aroma as it wafts up from the dish and fills the air.
Conclusion
Fennel seeds and anise seeds are two spices that are often confused for one another. The main difference is that anise seeds are more licorice-y in flavor and fennel seeds are more like licorice-y with a subtle anise finish. These two spices are perfect additions to dishes when you want to impart a sweet licorice flavor.
