Anise Seed

A spice (also called aniseed), the seed of the plant Pimpinella anisum, with a licoricelike flavor. In our experience, fennel is more common than anise in the Subcontinent; both are given the name saunf in Hindi. Anise has a dustier flavor than fennel has. The pale grayish thin long seeds are sold in well-stocked grocery stores; buy it whole rather than ground if possible, for fresher flavor.