Anise or Aniseed, less commonly known as anís (stressed on the first syllable) is a flowering plant in the family Apiaceae, native to the eastern Mediterranean region and southwest Asia.

Botanical Name Pimpinella anisum

Aniseed  is a herbaceous annual plant growing to 50 cm tall. The leaves at the base of the plant are simple, 2-5 cm long and shallowly lobed, while leaves higher on the stems are feathery pinnate, divided into numerous leaflets. The flowers are white, 3 mm diameter, produced in dense umbels. The fruit is an oblong dry schizocarp, 3-5 mm long.

Traditional Uses for Aniseed:-

Culinary Uses:-

Anise is used to make the famous British confectionary and sweet beloved by young boys –  Aniseed balls and the old fashioned New Zealand confectionary, Aniseed wheels. Anise oil is used to make Italian cookies called pizzelles, and used in the frosting of yellow Italian cake-like cookies called “Drops” or “Anise Drops”.

Medicinal Uses:-

Anise leaves and a concoction made from the seeds is used to treat digestive problems, to relieve toothache, and its essential oil is used to treat lice and scabies

Recreational Uses:-

Anise is also the main flavor of Absinthe as well as being used as a flavoring for pastis, ouzo, raki, and other liqueurs.