Fennel is an herb that contains pretty yellow flowers and soft green leaves. It has a strong scent and offers a taste of licorice. The flowers and leaves are used to add seasoning to foods or for medicinal purposes. Florence fennel, also known as finocchio, is another type of fennel that is used for its bulblike base that is eaten much as any vegetable.

A Little Background on Fennel

Fennel dates back to nearly 500 BC. Its name comes from the Greek word “marathon” because the Battle of Marathon was fought between the Greeks and the Persians on a field of fennel. The Roman philosopher Pliny discusses in his writings fennels’ benefits for eyesight. Emperor Charlemagne insisted that fennel be grown in all gardens because of its amazing healing properties. During the Middle Ages, people believed that fennel could ward off bad spirits and bring them good luck so they hung it in their homes.

Ancient Greeks and Romans used fennel in their cooking and also to control appetites. Fennel was used for weight loss for many centuries and was noted in 1650 for its ability to curb eating. Although fennel appears to have originated in the Mediterranean region, it is now grown worldwide.

Good for Your Health

There are many medicinal uses for fennel. Like licorice, fennel soothes stomach problems and relieves flatulence. Fennel is a good herb to use for babies for several reasons, namely to reduce the pain from stomach gas and also to alleviate the discomfort from teething. It’s always a good idea before giving your baby to fennel, to check with your pediatrician for proper dosage.

Aside from the relief of gas and bloat, fennel is good for eyesight and some people use it for treating hypertension. In the past, people drank fennel tea to alleviate coughs and farmers have given the herb to cattle to reduce flea infestations.

Fennel is a powerhouse of minerals like calcium, iron, potassium, and magnesium. It also provides a nice amount of vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant and cancer fighter. Because the fennel bulb is full of water, it is a good source of fiber. Fennel also contains polyunsaturated fatty acids, which help fight bad cholesterol.

How to Choose and Prepare Fennel

Always select fennel bulbs that are white, firm, and in good condition. They should be free of spots and blemishes. It can be stored in the crisper section of the refrigerator either as is or in an airtight container for about a week.

Remove the outer leaves from the bulb and rinse under cool running water before eating or preparing. Fennel pairs nicely with ham, apples, cheese, fish, or in salads. It also works well with veal or lamb. But fennel doesn’t have to be reserved strictly for lunch or dinner. It can be used in a fresh fruit salad to add zest to citrus fruits for a tasty dessert. Fennel is a key ingredient in absinthe, a green spirit that originated in Switzerland.

Final Thought

With a smell and taste like black licorice, fennel is ideal to eat after dinner or any other large meal because it will help you to digest your food. Experiment with fennel and use it to season your meats or slice it thin and add it to your pasta with a little bit of extra virgin olive oil. Fennel gives your favorite foods a nice licorice-like flavor while boosting your intake of vitamin C and key minerals. Perhaps that’s why some people call it a health food!