Anise, << AN ihs, >> is an annual herb related to caraway and dill. It is grown mainly for its seeds, which have a spicy taste and are used to give candy a licorice flavor. Cooks also use the seeds to flavor pastries, cookies, and certain kinds of cheese. The oil extracted from the seeds is used to make absinthe, an alcoholic beverage. The oil is also used in medicines, especially those for treating children’s stomach troubles. Many cooks use anise leaves as a garnish or for seasoning soups and sauces.
Anise grows wild in the Mediterranean region. It needs warm, dry summers to grow well. Egypt, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Spain, and Turkey are important anise-producing countries.
