This article provides an overview of anise seeds, what it tastes like, their availability, their alternative names, and of course what other ingredients make anise seeds substitutes.
What is Anise Seed?
Anise seeds are derived from the anise plant and are widely cultivated to flavor foods, candy, alcoholic drinks, and herbal teas. They are especially popular around the Mediterranean, Mexico, and Pakistan.
Anise seed is also popular in traditional European herbal medicine, especially in reducing flatulence.
What does Anise Seed taste like?
Anise seeds have a natural sweetness and a strong pungent taste. The flavor and aroma are very similar to other spices such as star anise, fennel, licorice, caraway, and tarragon.
Is Anise Seed readily available in Supermarkets?
Anise seed should be readily available in supermarkets, often found with the other herbs and spices in the spices aisle.
What are some alternative names for Anise Seeds?
Anise seed may be shortened to aniseed or simply anise.
What is a good substitute for Anise Seed in recipes?
Luckily, there are a number of great substitutes for anise seeds. These include:
- You can use many other spices as a substitute for anise seeds, the best would be caraway seeds or star anise as they belong to the same family and have a very similar licorice-like flavor.
- Fennel Seeds or fresh Fennel are also a close match for the licorice flavor
- Allspice, Chinese five-spice powder, or tarragon.