FENNEL SEEDS

India is the world’s largest producer and exporter of fennel seed, powder and oil. All parts of the plant are aromatic. The seeds have a taste similar to anise. Foeniculum dulce (carosella) is grown for its stalks, while F. vulgare (finocchio) is grown for its bulbous stalk bases. It is a biennial, aromatic, stout, glabrous, 1.5 to 1.8 mt high.

The ripe fruit (seed) is small, oblong, cylindrical, 6.8mm long, straight or slightly curved, greenish yellow, deeply furrowed, 5 ridged and having agreeable aroma.

The leaves of fennel are used for garnishing. Dried fruits have fragrant odour and pleasant aromatic taste and therefore used as a masticatory. They are also used for flavouring food products. The fruits are aromatic, stimulant and carminative. Fennel has been used as a flavoring agent, a scent, and an insect repellent, as well as an herbal remedy. Used in food, medicines, liquor and perfume industries.