Anise Seed

PURPOSE

WHAT IS IT?

Anise (Pimpinella anisum)  is the an aromatic herb. The leaves, fruit husks and seeds can all be used for cooking. Very soluble in alcohol, not in water. Will opaque a clear alcohol, like ouzo, if water is added.

EXPERIENCE

Anise has an aroma and taste that the western world describes as “licorice” because of the common candy. In other parts of the world it is a common cooking herb described more as a fragrant odor than a taste. The flavor comes from the essential oil anethole, also found in fennel, star anise, camphor and liquorice. A cousin of the aromatic oil found in tarragon and basil.

CULINARY GEOGRAPHY

Originating in the Middle East, it migrated to Europe, first as a medicinal herb, and then found its way into culinary applications. Similar in taste to Star Anise, which also has the essential oil anethole.  The spice migrated to Asia, and is common throughout along with locally grown spices, used more in India and Pakistan than in other parts of the continent.

TRADITIONAL USES

• Candies
• Alcoholic beverages
• Biscotti and other baked goods;
• Panch phoron (Bengali Five-Spice)
• Root beers and homemade liquorice
• Bitters for bar mixology
• Mixed with grain alcohols like Aquavit

A FEW IMPROVISATIONAL RIFFS:

• Excellent with fenugreek leaves as an aromatic for poultry or fish;
• Toast a few and grind, add to a vinaigrette or a salad for a twist;
• Toast and add to fractionated rock sugar as a pleasant snack;
• Toast a small amount (1-2 tsp) and add to melted butter with a little nutmeg and salt then toss with a nice lavender pasta as a side;
• An excellent aromatic for house made bitters for your bar;
• Add to neutral grain spirits to create your own liqueurs.

THE BACKSTORY

Cultivated by the Egyptians, the herb and seed have been used both medicinally and culinarily for centuries. The seed traveled to Scandinavia where it became a key ingredient in the liqueur Aquavit.

AKA

Aniseed

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