Anise is a flowering plant native to the eastern Mediterranean region and Southwest Asia. It is known for its flavor, which resembles liquorice, fennel and tarragon. A member of the parsley and carrot family. The seeds are tiny and ovoid, with fine lines marked against green-grey background. They have delicately sweet and aromatic bouquet with distinctly liquorice flavor. The spiceness is similar to fennel. The flavour is heightened by dry frying the seeds.The aroma of the essential oil (up to 3% in the fruits) is dominated by trans-anethole (max. 90%). Anise is used as an ingredient in savory and sweet Indian cuisine. This spice flavours fish soups, sauces, bread, cakes, biscuit and confectionary. Oil from the seeds is used in cough mixtures and lozenges as well as antiseptic. Anise is also used in perfumes and soaps.
