Anise Facts
Anise Facts
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| Interesting Anise Facts: |
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| Anise has upright hairy stem that can reach 1 to 3 feet in height. |
| Anise produces two types of leaves on the stem. Leaves at the base of the plant are simple with shallow lobes. Leaves on the upper part of the stem are feathery, pinnate. Both types of leaves are bright green colored. |
| Anise produces yellow or white flowers organized in umbel (type of inflorescence where numerous flowers on the short flower stalks arise from the same point). Flowers develop usually during July. |
| Flowers of anise are rich source of nectar which attracts bees, main pollinators of this plant. |
| Botanically speaking, fruit of anise is dry schizocarp, also known as aniseed. It is oval-shaped, grey or green colored. |
| Anise has oval or comma-shaped, light brown seed with horizontal stripes. |
| Seed of anise are aromatic and have sweet, licorice-like taste. They are rich source of vitamins of the B group, vitamins A and C and minerals such as calcium, iron, manganese, copper and zinc |
| Seed of anise are popular and widely used in the confectionery industry for the manufacture of candies, chewing gums and different desserts. They are also used in the industry of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. In India, seed of anise are consumed to refresh the breath after meal. |
| Anise seed are ingredient of absinthe (famous alcoholic drink), ouzo (popular Greek liqueur) and some types of root beer in the USA. |
| Fresh leaves of anise can be consumed in the form of salads, or they can be used for the preparation of soups and sauces. |
| Consumption of cakes at the end of the wedding ceremony is a custom which originates from the ancient times. Spicy aniseed cake was often served at the end of long feasts in the Ancient Rome to facilitate digestion. |
| Essential oils extracted from the anise seed have application in the industry of perfumes, soaps, shampoos, lotions, mouthwashes and toothpastes. |
| Essential oils or tea made of anise seed can be used to facilitate digestion, relieve symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, cough, and menstrual pain, and to stimulate milk production in breast-feeding women. |
| Essential oils extracted from the anise seed can be used for the elimination of mites and head lice. |
| Anise is an annual plant, which means that it completes its life cycle in one year. |
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