Fennel Seed

Fennel seeds have a sweet, anise-like note from anethole.

Flavor

How to use it

Toasting. Toasting frees anethole, boosting licorice sweetness.

Baking with Fennel. Ground fennel adds anethole for sweet subtleties.

Common mistakes

• Skipping toasting weakens anethole's effect.
• Overuse overwhelms with anethole.

What goes with fennel seed

• Pork Shoulder. Fennel's sweet licorice cuts through fatty pork shoulder.
• Orange. Fennel seed's sweet aroma echoes the citrusy notes of orange.
• Chili Flake. Fennel's sweet anise notes balance chili heat, as in Italian sausage.
• Coriander Seed. Coriander and fennel seed are both sweet and aromatic, and toasted together they form a spice base.
• Tomato. Fennel's sweetness balances tomato's acidity.
• Cabbage. Fennel's sweetness contrasts with cabbage's slight bitterness.
• Onion. Fennel's mild anise offsets onion's sharpness.
• Pistachio. Fennel seed's anethole sweetness contrasts pistachio's earthiness.

Try tonight

• Classic sausage flavor.
• Sprinkle on baked breads.
• Sweet pickle brines.

Storage

Keep in a cool, dry place in an airtight container.