Fennel is a spice. It’s a powerful yet ever so tiny little seed spice that has a sweet taste with a bitter undertone… In parts of South East Asia, it’s very common and can be found in many dishes.
Fennel is famed to be extremely good for digestion, acting as a booster for it. In Indian culture* eating/chewing some raw fennel seeds after a meal is a common- aids digestion of the meal and works instantly to freshen the breath like a mint.
There are many ways to use fennel seeds. The seeds can be used as a whole or grounded and cooked together with your meals, you can chew on them raw or you can like me, infuse it into a nice cup of herbal tea!
It’s really simple to make too. This is how I make mine:
Take 1 teaspoon of those little seeds, boil a cup (slightly more so when it’s done I get a nice one cup) of water and simmer those seeds in it for about 10 -15 minutes before turning off the heat/fire. Then leave it to steep for another 20-30 minutes before pouring it out to drink (I leave it on the stove to keep it warm). Herbal teas taste much better when taken hot.
It makes for a great after meal pick me up. I usually make myself a cup after I’ve had a heavy meal or just when I’m feeling sluggish in general.
You can always give it a try but I warn that it might be a bit of an acquired taste because of it’s bitter undertone. The best idea I can give you about how it taste like it perhaps to say it tastes something like licorice.
Ladies, do take caution if you decide to try this tea because it has emmenagogue effects – meaning it promotes menstruation. In some cultures, it is actually used to treat/help with conditions such as Ammenorhea.
There are many other uses for fennel but we’ll talk about that another day.
* If you were to visit an authentic Indian restaurant in South East Asia, you will find that they serve you the fennel seeds after your meal, or there’s a plate/bowl of it left by the counter where patrons can just grab a pinch off to chew on their way out.
** The unfamiliar can often mistake cumin seeds for fennel seeds and vice versa.To help I’ve put pictures of the two side by side. Do you know your fennel?
Fennel Seeds
Cumin Seeds
NOTE: Expressed above are my personal opinions based on my own experiences. Anyone who wishes to try the ‘Fennel Tea’ should do so with caution and at their own discretion because as with anything else, you could have a direct allergic reaction to the tea or it could react to any current medications or health conditions that you may have.
