Fennel, also known as finocchio and marathon, is a member of the
Apiaceae family original to the Mediterranean region and now naturalized
elsewhere. As a cousin to
celery and
carrot, fennel is also cultivated
for its bulbous root-stock, which is treated as a vegetable.
Although fennel resembles
dill in stature and structure, its foliage and
seed are reminiscent of
licorice or
anise in fragrance. In Europe,
fennel seed is a popular flavoring ingredient in baked goods, and fennel
seed tea is a time-honored answer to gastrointestinal distress. During
the Middle Ages, it was common for the peasantry to carry the seed to
chew on while in church or in other public places to curb the sound of
hunger pangs.
