Black anise, also known as anise, is a herb with a taste similar to fennel or licorice. It is commonly used in cooking, candy, and alcoholic beverages. It is also used in herbal remedies and is believed to have medicinal properties. Anise contains vitamins B and C, iron, calcium, and potassium, among other nutrients. It is native to Egypt, Crete, Greece, and other Mediterranean climates and is grown in Mexico, Germany, and other parts of Europe.
Black anise is an herb often used in cooking and herbal remedies. In particular, it is the seed of the Pimpinella anisum plant that is most commonly used in the preparation of food recipes. Black anise tastes similar to fennel or licorice and is often used as a flavoring in candy and other confections, as well as alcoholic beverages.
Also known as anise, black anise is native to Egypt, Crete, Greece and other Mediterranean climates. It is also commonly grown in Mexico, Germany and other parts of Europe and is found wild in Italy. As an annual plant, anise is characterized by white flowers flanked by bright green leaves. It is the seeds, however, that are often used to add a unique flavor and scent to cooking recipes.
Sometimes referred to as the fruit of the aniseed plant, the seeds are dried for a period of time after harvest. Aniseed also produces a unique scent that many find appealing, which is why it is sometimes used to enhance the smell of certain preparations. They are also used to make herbal teas and tinctures.
In addition to cooking with anise, many believe the plant has medicinal properties as well. Often, it is used to make cough syrups and lozenges to soothe coughs and throat irritations. Black anise is also sometimes used to treat colic, asthma and bronchitis. Some also propose its effectiveness as an insect repellent when combined with other herbs, such as sassafras oil, and applied topically.
Health food stores sometimes carry black anise along with other anise varieties, such as Chinese star anise, which comes from an evergreen tree found in East Asia. Individuals who live in suitable climates and who enjoy cooking with herbs often grow their own black anise for that purpose. Under the right weather conditions, anise can be grown in light soil and will begin flowering during the hot summer months, but generally don’t become fully mature and suitable for use until autumn.
Vitamins B and C are among the healthy nutrients found in anise, as well as iron, calcium and potassium. Other nutrients include phosphorus and potassium. Anise is also known to contain protein, fiber and starch. While anise is often offered in grocery stores, sometimes the black varieties can be harder to spot. Some growers, however, specialize in growing black anise instead of other anise varieties.
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