Fennel vs. Anise — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on September 22, 2023
Fennel is a flowering plant used for its bulbs, seeds, and fronds, often in Mediterranean cuisine. Anise is a plant whose seeds are used for flavoring, known for its licorice-like taste. Both are distinct plants but have similar flavor profiles.
Difference Between Fennel and Anise
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Fennel and Anise are two different plants that are often confused because of their similar licorice-like flavors. Fennel is native to the Mediterranean and is used not only for its seeds but also for its bulb and fronds. Anise, on the other hand, is primarily grown for its seeds, and unlike fennel, it doesn't offer an edible bulb or fronds.
In the culinary world, Fennel is versatile, used in everything from salads to roasts. The fennel bulb is particularly prized for its crunchy texture and slightly sweet, anise-like flavor. Anise is more limited in its applications, mainly used as a spice in baked goods, liquors, and desserts.
In terms of appearance, Fennel plants have feathery leaves and produce yellow flowers, whereas Anise plants have simple, lance-shaped leaves and produce white flowers. This difference in appearance can help in distinguishing the two plants when encountered in the wild or in a garden setting.
Chemically, the main component responsible for the similar flavors in Fennel and Anise is anethole, an aromatic compound. However, fennel often has a more complex flavor profile, including notes of citrus and pepper, while anise offers a more straightforward licorice flavor.
Comparison Chart
Plant Parts Used
Bulb, seeds, fronds
Seeds
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Culinary Applications
Salads, roasts, soups
Baked goods, liquors
Native Region
Mediterranean
Eastern Mediterranean
Appearance
Feathery leaves, yellow flowers
Simple leaves, white flowers
Flavor Complexity
Complex, varied
Straightforward licorice
Compare with Definitions
Fennel
May have medicinal properties.
Some people use fennel tea to aid digestion.
Anise
A flowering plant whose seeds are used for flavoring.
Anise seeds are a key ingredient in many baked goods.
Fennel
A flowering plant used primarily in Mediterranean cuisine.
Fennel bulbs add a crunch to Mediterranean salads.
Anise
Known for its strong, licorice-like flavor.
Anise flavor is predominant in some traditional liquors.
Fennel
Used in various forms including seeds, bulb, and fronds.
She garnished the dish with fennel fronds.
Anise
Primarily used as a spice.
I added anise to the cake for extra flavor.
Fennel
Grown for its aromatic qualities.
Fennel is often planted in gardens for its pleasant aroma.
Anise
Native to the Eastern Mediterranean.
Anise has been cultivated in the Eastern Mediterranean for centuries.
Fennel
Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a flowering plant species in the carrot family. It is a hardy, perennial herb with yellow flowers and feathery leaves.
Anise
Used in traditional medicine.
Anise oil is sometimes used to treat digestive issues.
Fennel
An aromatic yellow-flowered European plant of the parsley family, with feathery leaves.
Anise
Anise (; Pimpinella anisum), also called aniseed or rarely anix, is a flowering plant in the family Apiaceae native to the eastern Mediterranean region and Southwest Asia.The flavor and aroma of its seeds have similarities with some other spices, such as star anise, fennel, and liquorice. It is widely cultivated and used to flavor food, candy, and alcoholic drinks, especially around the Mediterranean.
Fennel
A Eurasian plant (Foeniculum vulgare) in the parsley family, having pinnate leaves and clusters of small yellow flowers grouped in umbels, cultivated for its aromatic seeds and edible stalks.
Anise
A Mediterranean plant of the parsley family, cultivated for its aromatic seeds which are used in cooking and herbal medicine.
Fennel
The seeds or stalks of this plant.
Anise
An Asian or American tree or shrub that bears fruit with an odour similar to that of aniseed.
Fennel
A variety of fennel whose seeds are used as flavoring. Also called sweet fennel.
Anise
An annual, aromatic Mediterranean herb (Pimpinella anisum) in the parsley family, cultivated for its seedlike fruits and the oil obtained from them.
Fennel
A variety of fennel whose bulbous, celerylike stalks are eaten as a vegetable. Also called finocchio, Florence fennel.
Anise
The seedlike fruit of this plant, used to flavor foods, liqueurs, and candies. Also called aniseed.
Fennel
See giant fennel.
Anise
An umbelliferous plant (Pimpinella anisum) growing naturally in Egypt, and cultivated in Spain, Malta, etc., for its carminative and aromatic seeds, which are used as a spice. It has a licorice scent.
Fennel
A plant, Foeniculum vulgare, of the parsley family, which has a sweet, anise-like flavor.
Anise
"}} Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare.
Fennel
(culinary) The bulb, leaves, or stalks of the plant, eaten as a vegetable.
Anise
An umbelliferous plant (Pimpinella anisum) growing naturally in Egypt, and cultivated in Spain, Malta, etc., for its carminative and aromatic seeds.
Fennel
(culinary) The seeds of the fennel plant used as a spice in cooking.
Anise
The fruit or seeds of this plant.
Fennel
A perennial plant of the genus Fæniculum (Fæniculum vulgare), having very finely divided leaves. It is cultivated in gardens for the agreeable aromatic flavor of its seeds.
Smell of sweetest fennel.
Anise
Native to Egypt but cultivated widely for its aromatic seeds and the oil from them used medicinally and as a flavoring in cookery
Fennel
Any of several aromatic herbs having edible seeds and leaves and stems
Anise
Liquorice-flavored seeds or oil used in cookies or cakes or pickles
Fennel
Aromatic bulbous stem base eaten cooked or raw in salads
Fennel
Leaves used for seasoning
Fennel
Known for its licorice-like flavor.
The fennel seeds gave the sausage a licorice-like flavor.
Common Curiosities
What part of the Fennel plant is commonly used?
Fennel is commonly used in its seed, bulb, and frond forms.
What part of the Anise plant is commonly used?
Anise is commonly used for its seeds.
What is Fennel?
Fennel is a flowering plant used primarily in Mediterranean cuisine for its bulbs, seeds, and fronds.
Is Fennel used in soups?
Yes, Fennel is often used in soups for its aromatic qualities and flavor.
Is Anise used in liquors?
Yes, Anise is often used to flavor liquors like ouzo and sambuca.
Where is Anise originally from?
Anise is native to the Eastern Mediterranean.
What is Anise?
Anise is a plant grown primarily for its seeds, which are used for flavoring.
What is the main flavor compound in both?
The main flavor compound in both Fennel and Anise is anethole.
Is Anise used in desserts?
Yes, Anise is commonly used in desserts and baked goods for its strong licorice-like flavor.
Can Fennel and Anise be used interchangeably?
Though they have similar flavor profiles, they are not perfect substitutes due to differences in form and culinary applications.
Is Fennel native to the Mediterranean?
Yes, Fennel is native to the Mediterranean region.
Do both Fennel and Anise have medical uses?
Both are believed to have medicinal properties, though these have not been universally validated.
What is the appearance of Anise plants?
Anise plants have simple, lance-shaped leaves and produce white flowers.
Can Fennel be eaten raw?
Yes, the fennel bulb can be eaten raw and is often used in salads.
What is the appearance of Fennel plants?
Fennel plants have feathery leaves and produce yellow flowers.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
