Fennel, both fresh and the seed, tastes very licorice-like, so anise is the perfect swap when it comes to swapping out fennel seed. Star anise works especially well in brines or marinades where the spices are left whole; use one star anise pod per teaspoon of whole fennel seed.
When it comes to appearance, fennel and anise have a few key differences. Fennel has a bulbous base that is white or pale green and looks similar to a cross between an onion and a celery root. The stalks are long and slender, with feathery leaves that look similar to dill.
Anise is often used and considered to be a key ingredient in many liqueurs, including absinthe and ouzo. Others include anisette and sambuca. It is also often used in baking and candy-making, particularly in recipes that call for licorice flavoring. Anise seeds can be used in spice blends and are often used to flavor bread, cakes, and cookies. You might be surprised by just how many recipes include anise.
So, while fennel and anise may look and taste similar, they are two distinct plants with unique culinary and medicinal uses. The next time you want to make the most of their flavor, consider the recipe and which ingredient would combine into the recipe better. And remember, these two ingredients are far from an equal swap if you are looking for a substitute.
Fennel and anise are two plants with a lot in common. However, there are important differences between the two that are worth exploring. They both have an unmistakable licorice-like flavor and a similar appearance. For culinary uses, fennel and anise can be used in similar ways but are not interchangeable. And in terms of nutrition, fennel and anise are both low in calories and high in fiber. Fennel is a good source of vitamin C, potassium, and vitamin A, while anise is a good source of calcium and iron.
Anise, on the other hand, is an annual herb that is native to the Middle East, eastern Mediterranean and western Asia. It is a member of the parsley family and is closely related to fennel. Anise, which is different from star anise, has a more delicate appearance. The stalks are thin and wiry, with leaves that are finer than fennel. Anise plants do not produce a bulb. As for its medical properties and history, anise is often used to treat coughs and colds and is thought to have antibacterial properties.
Substitutes for Fennel:
With such a distinct flavor, you’d think it would be hard to find a decent substitute, however there are actually many spices that will give your dish the same unique taste without the fennel. We suggest using the following spices in place of fennel:
- Anise
- Cumin
- Licorice root
- Caraway seeds
- Celery
- Parsley
- Onion
- Artichoke
- Dill
- Leeks
- Bok Choy
- Pernod Absinthe
Cooking Tips : How to Pick Anise (Fennel)
FAQ
Can anise and fennel be used interchangeably?
Does anise taste like fennel?
What is the difference between fennel and licorice anise?
What is another name for fennel?
Can you substitute anise for fennel?
That being said, there are some situations where you can substitute anise for fennel, and vice versa. For example, if a recipe calls for fennel seeds and you don’t have any on hand, you can use anise seeds instead. Similarly, if a recipe calls for anise bulbs and you can’t find any, you can use fennel bulbs instead.
Should one chew fennel seeds?
It is perfectly safe and even healthy to swallow fennel’s seeds after chewing. Chewing fennel seeds is helps to aid digestion and prevent gas.
Can you mix fennel & anise seeds?
Anise seeds. Anise seeds are smaller and much more potent: they have a very strong anise flavor. Because they’re so strong, we recommend caraway seeds as a better flavor match for fennel. But if that’s all you have, it will work! Use half the amount of anise seeds.
Is fennel the same as anise?
They are easy to confuse with similar-looking anise seeds. Some grocery stores may label fennel as anise due to similarities between the two. However, any leaves or bulbs in the produce section likely come from fennel plants. What Is Anise? Anise comes from the same family as fennel, but it is a completely different plant called Pimpinella anisum.