Anise - Can anyone tell me what it is used for?

AndyRVTR · « **on:** November 30, 2011, 19:33 »

Hi guys, I dont normally wander into this side of the forum but I have been given a pack of 1000 seeds called Anise and as far as I know they are a herb.
I have a question or two as I know nothing about them, can anyone tell me, what they are? and what are they used for?

sunshineband · « **Reply #1 on:** November 30, 2011, 19:37 »

Anise is grown for its seeds (aniseed flavoured) and it is a bit tender, so sow it in the spring after the frosts have finished.

Pimpernella anisum I think it is.

Anyway, it has flat umbells of flowers like fennel does and well worth the effort.

You can just chew the seeds or use them in ckaes, bread etc

mumofstig · « **Reply #2 on:** November 30, 2011, 19:39 »

I like the seeds in bread, but I know not everybody does.
You can use the seeds instead of fennel seeds in recipes

wiki is quite helpful
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anise

AndyRVTR · « **Reply #3 on:** November 30, 2011, 20:09 »

Thanks SSB/MOS

I should also have asked, do you know if attracts or deters any garden visitors i.e bees, aphids, butterflies etc etc??

sunshineband · « **Reply #4 on:** November 30, 2011, 20:21 »

Quote from: AndyRVTR on November 30, 2011, 20:09

Thanks SSB/MOS I should also have asked, do you know if attracts or deters any garden visitors i.e bees, aphids, butterflies etc etc??

Very, very popular with hoverflies and bees in my experience

sion01 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 30, 2011, 21:28 »

Didn't know about that one .You learn something every day.

catllar · « **Reply #6 on:** December 11, 2011, 10:32 »

You can infuse the seeds in milk or cream to flavour a custard. Add to that some orange zest and your custard becomes really scrummy! Make it with enough egg to set it and it becomes the base of a crema catalane - a very popular pud down here. Once cold and set you add sugar and caramelise the top under the grill or with a blowtorch.

Growster... · « **Reply #7 on:** December 11, 2011, 11:07 »

Quote from: catllar on December 11, 2011, 10:32

You can infuse the seeds in milk or cream to flavour a custard. Add to that some orange zest and your custard becomes really scrummy! Make it with enough egg to set it and it becomes the base of a crema catalane - a very popular pud down here. Once cold and set you add sugar and caramelise the top under the grill or with a blowtorch.

And also add a bayleaf Cat?

catllar · « **Reply #8 on:** December 11, 2011, 15:07 »

Absolutely, why not? Haven't come across that variation but it's gonna make it even more yummy!

Anise - Can anyone tell me what it is used for?

AndyRVTR

Anise - Can anyone tell me what it is used for?

sunshineband

Re: Anise - Can anyone tell me what it is used for?

mumofstig

Re: Anise - Can anyone tell me what it is used for?

AndyRVTR

Re: Anise - Can anyone tell me what it is used for?

sunshineband

Re: Anise - Can anyone tell me what it is used for?

sion01

Re: Anise - Can anyone tell me what it is used for?

catllar

Re: Anise - Can anyone tell me what it is used for?

Growster...

Re: Anise - Can anyone tell me what it is used for?

catllar

Re: Anise - Can anyone tell me what it is used for?