Mysterious fennel: what is it?

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Everyone, perhaps, has heard that there is such a useful plant - fennel. What it is? Not everyone can answer this question without difficulty. But it has been used as food for thousands of years.

First of all, this dill-like plant is valued for its delicate aroma, which is a bit like the smell of anise liqueur. And the sweetish fruits-bulbs perfectly stimulate digestion. Seeds in clusters harden after the death of the yellow flower. They are used as a spice, eaten whole or already ground.

Using a plant

Fennel is present in many Mediterranean dishes. What it is? Only a person who managed to taste this peculiar spice can tell about this. Before use, the seeds can be roasted to enhance the taste, or you can grind the seeds in a mortar and mortar. This ingredient is used in many spice mixes: in curries, Provence and Chinese seasonings. This spice well emphasizes the taste of fish, sausages, pastries and liquors.

Preparation for use

Cooking fennelgoes through several stages:

1. Young petioles can be served as a dish of fresh vegetables. The leaves are used in salads or as a filling for fish.
2. The bulb must be washed with water and cut off the roots.
3. Cut the prepared fennel in half or into 4 parts, if desired, you can take out the middle.

Modern housewives will confirm that fennel is found in many recipes. What it is, you should find out before buying, so that the young hostess is fully equipped before starting culinary experiments.

Useful properties

Many have heard about the benefits of a product like fennel. What it is, it is better to ask people who have eaten its fruits, especially in the autumn-winter period. It is believed that this plant is able to protect the immune system in the cold season. Also, a decoction of fennel is widely used instead of "dill water" for babies experiencing digestive problems in the first days of life.

Contraindications

Fruits and seeds should not be eaten during pregnancy and lactation, and children under six years of age. At the same time, the grains, leaves and root are absolutely harmless, and the oil that is released from the seeds is very toxic. It should absolutely not be taken by people suffering from hypertension or epileptic seizures.

Interesting facts

Sweet dill, as this herb is also called, was popular in antiquity, with many legends associated with it. Among the Greeks, it was he who was considered the plant of victory. In the Middle Ages, it was believed that it was magicala plant whose seeds protect against spirits. Puritans used its grains as food to relieve dry mouth during long prayers.

Fennel tea

Young mothers are especially interested in how to make fennel tea for the baby. Reviews make it clear that everything is natural in fashion, and few people are ready to use ready-made infusions in a pharmacy. To make tea yourself, you will need to pour a teaspoon of crushed fennel seeds with boiling water and leave for about half an hour. The prepared drink must be filtered and cooled. This tea can be added to milk or baby food.

Be careful: the baby may start an allergic reaction to an unfamiliar product. Therefore, you should not give fennel to a baby without first consulting a doctor.