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| Home > Herb Gardening > Herbal Plants > Anise
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| | Anise (Pimpinella anisum) Herbal Plants
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 Description: Anise is an annual herb, growing to about 50cm. The new leaves are rounded while the older leaves are deeply serrated and feathery. The stems are grooved and brittle. The white, flattened flower umbels appear in summer and are followed by small seeds (aniseed) that smell and taste like liquorice. Anise is an annual herb, growing to about 50cm. The new leaves are rounded while the older leaves are deeply serrated and feathery. The stems are grooved and brittle. The white, flattened flower umbels appear in summer and are followed by small seeds (aniseed) that smell and taste like liquorice.
Origin: Egypt and the Middle East
Cultivation: Plant seeds directly where they are to grow in spring and again in autumn in mild areas. Soil should be light and well-drained. Add lime if the soil is acid. Choose a sunny, protected spot. Water well in dry weather. Anise and coriander are good companion plants.
Uses: Ground aniseed is used to flavour confectionary, breads and cakes, vegetables, stewed fruits, cheese dishes and liqueurs. Anise leaves can be used in salads. Anise tea was traditionally used as an aid to digestion and aniseed is a favourite flavouring for cough mixtures and throat lozenges. The Ancient Romans served a cake containing aniseed at the end of large banquets, especially weddings, to aid digestion and relieve flatulence. These cakes were the forerunners of our traditional wedding cakes.
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