Spices and Herbs (Anise/Aniseed)

Anise or Aniseed (Pimpinella anisum)
Anise is a flowering plant, native to the eastern Mediterranean region and southwest Asia. Anise has a licorice-like taste, is sweet and very aromatic. It is popular in many confections like British Aniseed balls, Aniseed wheels in New Zealand, Italian pizzelles, German pfeffernusse, Knotts in Norway and South African mosbolletjies(must buns) and aniseed biscuits/rusks. The French like it with carrots. Anise is frequently used in Scandinavian breads, East Indian curries, and Hispanic stews. The seed enhances cooked fruit dishes, eggs and cheese, spinach and many baked goods. Anise is used to make the dough when preparing the famous Peruvian dessert, Picarones.
Aniseed is also used to make the Mexican drink, atole de anís or champurrado, which is similar to hot chocolate, the Turkish alcoholic drink, Raki, the Italian Sambuca, Arabic Arak and Greek Ouzo.
Anise (Aniseed) is often confused with Star Anise. These are two different species of plant, but the one is sometimes substituted for the other.

See also "Spices and Herbs (Star Anise)"

spice anise aniseed