Description
Herb, Anise
Anise is native to Egypt and the Mediterranean Region, but it has been cultivated in Europe, India, Mexico, Russia and the US for centuries. Its legitimate medicinal benefits include improving digestion, preventing flatulence and use as a mild expectorant. Its primary benefit from both a medicinal and culinary perspective is its lovely flavor and fragrance. The herb has been called, “the loftiest of licorices”. Its seeds and leaves are used with eggs, stewed fruit, cheese, spinach, carrots and in pastries, candies, soups, stews and cookies. Anise oil is used in soaps, perfumes, toothpastes and mouthwashes. Perhaps its most notable culinary use is as a flavoring agent in liqueurs. By combining equal parts of Anise, Coriander and Fennel seed in sugared vodka, you have Anisette.
Two of the most interesting facts about Anise involve dogs and mice. Since the 1500s, Anise has been used to attract and capture mice. Apparently, mice cannot resist the sweet licorice fragrance of Anise, and the herb has found wide application as mouse bait. Dogs, too, find Anise irresistible. In drag hunting and dog racing, the sacks used to lead the dogs are always scented with Anise.
