Common Anise

Anise is native to the eastern Mediterranean and is one of the oldest known spice plants, used both for culinary and medicinal purposes, thanks to its sweet and very aromatic licorice-y flavour. Through the Romans, who served anise-spiced cakes after heavy meals to aid digestion, it was spread throughout Europe by Roman legions. Anise seeds, whole or ground up, are used in teas and for confectionery purposes, as well as in a wide variety of regional and ethnic liqueurs, e.g., Greek ouzo, Italian sambuca and French pastis, just to name a few. Of its many qualities, ‘it stirreth up bodily lust’, wards off the evil eye and keeps nightmares away if placed under one’s pillow.

• INFO
• HOW TO GROW
• HOW TO EAT

• LATIN NAME
  Pimpinella anisum
  SEEDS
  125 seeds
  NAME
  Anise
  VARIETY
  Common
  SHORT DESCRIPTION
  It’s the spice that wards off the evil eye.
  PLANT SIZE
  Height 60 cm
  Width 60 cm
  CONTAINER SIZE
  Height 30 cm
  Width 30 cm
  COMPANION PLANT
  Coriander, beans. Do not plant nearby carrots.
• SOWING
  Indoor Not required
  Outdoor Apr-June
  TIMING
  Germination 10-15 days
  Harvesting 120 days
  SPACING
  When sowing 3-5 cm; Depth 0,5 cm
  When thinning 20 cm
  GROWING
  Sunligth Full sun
  Soil Well-drained, light and fertile soil
  Watering Regular watering, allow to dry out
  Feeding Light feeder
  CARING
  Expert tip Anise plants are annuals, but their lives can be extended by bringing them indoors before the first frost of autumn.
  SUPPORTING
  Pollinators Attracts bees, butterflies and birds.
  Pests Attracts wasps that, in turn, eat aphids that host off nearby plants
• HARVESTING
  Harvest seeds from late summer to early autumn, when seeds have turned brown and fall easily from the head. Cut the flower stems and seed heads, and hang the stalks upside down in a warm, dry, shady place.
  EATING
  Medicinal properties Anise seeds, when chewed raw, are a miracle remedy for any digestive issues.
  How to eat Anise seeds are used in baking to add flavour to gourmet bread and to enhance the sweetness of pastries, cakes and cookies. Hard anise candies, rolled in powdered sugar, are an old-fashioned home recipe.