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A question everyone seems to ask on first encounter with the famous herbal and spice staples.
Fennel seeds come from fennel, a perennial plant grown originally in Southern Europe. It is sometimes called sweet fennel and the fruit is popularly known as fennel seed. Technically, fennel seeds are not seeds at all but the dried fruit of the plant.
Scientifically known as foeniculum vulgare, fennel seeds belong to the family of parsley or umbelliferae, with other popular herb and spices members such as caraway, dill, anise and cumin. It has been traditionally used as a remedy for indigestion and to stave off hunger, increase lactation in women and increase the stamina of the men. It was regarded as an Anglo-Saxon sacred plant because of its many health remedies. Nowadays, not only is it used widely for many different ailments, it is also widely grown in the whole of Europe, some countries in Middle East, in China, India and Turkey.
USES OF FENNEL SEEDS Fennel seeds have many culinary and medicinal uses.
Because of its aromatic smell, fennel is often used in baking and cooking many different kinds of foods. There are also many health remedies fennel seeds provide. Some of its culinary and medicinal uses include the following.
CULINARY USES Fennel seeds best complement fish dishes. Crushed fennel seeds may be mixed with spreads such as soft cheese. Fennel seeds may be used on vegetable dishes, broths and soups as a spice. It is especially good to include them in curry sauces.
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Found At: (apple essential oil) http://www.herbaldb.com/fennel-seeds/20110904/what-are-fennel-seeds-and-why-you-should-use-them/