It belongs to the genus Panicum of Coriander family, and is native to Egypt, the Middle East and India. It was once one of the antiseptic spices used by Egyptians to make mummies, and it was also the oral spice used by Indians to chew. Fennel has a special fragrance similar to licorice, which has the functions of eliminating phlegm and relieving cough, stimulating appetite and helping digestion. Asians like to add fennel to soups or stews, while Europeans often use it to sweeten cakes, biscuits and sweet bread. Fennel will smell very special if it is made into wine or added to coffee.

Illicium verum: fennel

The aroma of Illicium verum is close to that of Illicium verum, but it does not belong to the same family. Its smell is slightly fragrant with cloves and licorice. Slightly bitter and slightly sweet. Illicium verum plays a very important role in Chinese food. It is usually used to enhance the flavor of stews or stews. It is also the main component of China spiced powder. In southern Europe, in addition to cooking various soups and vegetables, star anise is also widely used as a spice for desserts and wines.

The seeds of Illicium verum are hidden in pods, which are composed of eight pods arranged in a star shape on the central axis, hence the name "Illicium verum".