Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a flowering plant species in the carrot family. It is a hardy, perennial herb with yellow flowers and feathery leaves.
| Fennel | |
|---|---|
| Species: | F. vulgare |
| Binomial name | |
| Foeniculum vulgare Mill. | |
| Synonyms |
Do fennel plants have flowers?
Herb fennel is closely related to the vegetable Florence fennel. However, the herb is grown as a perennial, making a long-lived plant with aromatic, feathery leaves and tall heads of yellow flowers in early summer.
Can fennel flowers be eaten?
The entire plant of fennel, including the flowers, is edible and can be used. Hundreds of recipes are available for the preparation of each part of the plant. Seeds, stems, stalks, leaves, bulb, roots, flowers… all have valuable food quality.
Is fennel the same as fennel flower?
An unrelated flower grown for its seeds, Love-In-A-Mist Flower (Nigella damascena) is often called Fennel Flower or wild fennel. This annual herb is native to southern Europe and North Africa. This plant is grown specifically for its seeds. The plant foliage is the typical feathery fennel look.
What is fennel plant called?
Fennel, Foeniculum vulgare, is a short-lived perennial with some types hardy in zones 4-9 but is often grown as an annual in cooler climates. Native to southern Europe along the Mediterranean Sea, this plant in the carrot family (Apiaceae) has sweetly aromatic foliage and flavor similar to anise.
What do you do with fennel flowers?
Fennel can be cut back early in the season to encourage bushier growth and should be deadheaded for seed harvest and to prevent over seeding of new plants. Harvest and dry seeds as the flower heads fade.
How do you eat fennel flowers?
They are sometimes known as fennel pollen. A little pollen goes a long way when added to soups, stews, sauces, and meat rubs. They can be used raw in salads or dried and added to dishes. The flowers can also be dried and used to make fennel tea.
Should I cut the flowers off my fennel?
Common F. vulgare blooms near the end of its growing season. If you don’t want it to drop seeds, you can cut the flowers off and remove them before they begin to fade. In addition to its value as an edible, it provides an attractive, texturally-rich backdrop in the garden, particularly when it’s a bronze variety.
Can you use fennel flowers for tea?
All parts of the fennel plant have culinary and medicinal uses, including the flowers, bulb, and seeds. However, only the seeds are crushed and steeped to make fennel tea.
What part of a fennel plant do you eat?
bulb
Most recipes that call for fennel are referring to the bulb, the swollen bottom end of the plant. The fennel bulb is enjoyed raw, where its anise flavor is most pronounced, and cooked for a sweeter, mellower version of itself. But don’t pitch the rest! The entire fennel plant is not only edible but delicious.
What are the two types of fennel?
There are three varieties of fennel, which are used in different ways: common fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. vulgare), sweet fennel which is used as a herb (Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce) and the bulb fennel, also known as Florence fennel or finocchio, that is treated as a vegetable (Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum).
Why is fennel pollen so expensive?
Here’s the catch: Fennel pollen is one of the world’s most expensive spices due to the fact that it is mostly foraged from wild fennel, which yields very little pollen per plant. If you want to get a feel for its flavor without breaking the bank, you can always give fennel seeds a try first.
What can you do with the top of fennel?
You can mix chopped fennel fronds into pestos, salsas, stocks, curries, and vinaigrettes for an added hit of freshness. You can use them to top yogurt dips, eggs, stir-fries, toasts, and seared meats. And they’re delicious when tossed into green salads or strewn on top of roasted vegetables.
What does fennel seeds do to the female body?
A review of 10 studies noted that fennel may improve sexual function and satisfaction in menopausal women, as well as relieve hot flashes, vaginal itching, dryness, pain during sex, and sleep disturbances ( 27 ).
Is there another name for fennel?
Fresh fennel, also known as Sweet Anise, Finnochio, Florentine Fennel, and Florence Fennel is an aromatic vegetable, garnish, and flavoring.
Why does my fennel not have a bulb?
Bulb Fennel
If you’ve planted fennel but it’s not producing bulbs, chances are you’ve planted it too late. If you plant as the summer days are getting longer and temperatures are rising, the plant will probably bolt. If you have flowers and no bulb and the temperatures are warm, this could be the culprit.
Do you eat the whole fennel plant?
Technically speaking, all parts of the plant are edible, but most people will find the stalks too tough and fibrous to eat. The leaves can be chopped and used to flavor salads, dressings, marinades and sauces. They tend to have a slightly more citrusy flavor than the base. The base (or bulb) is delicious raw or cooked.
What can you not plant next to fennel?
Fennel – Not a companion for any garden food plant, fennel will actually inhibit growth in bush beans, kohlrabi, tomatoes, and others. Plant it, but keep it out of the veggie garden.
Is it OK to drink fennel tea everyday?
There is no recommended daily limit established for how much fennel tea is safe to drink. Since fennel tea affects digestion, start with one cup at a time and see how your body reacts to drinking it.
What does fennel do for the body?
Fennel contains beta-carotene (which is converted to vitamin A in the body) and vitamin C, which is important for collagen production and tissue repair. Both these nutrients play an important role in maintaining the health of the skin, as well as the mucous membranes that protect organs like the respiratory tract.
What part of fennel makes tea?
seeds
Making Fennel Tea
Use the seeds from the fennel plant to make tea. The yellowish seeds make a better option for making tea than the greener variety. Slightly crush the seeds to release the oil. Add 1 teaspoon of seeds to 1 cup of hot water and steep for approximately five to 10 minutes.