Fennel and licorice bear a similar flavor, which is aromatic, bitter, sweet and distinct. As distinct plants, licorice and fennel have separate culinary, pharmaceutical, herbal, aromatic and cosmetic applications. Fennel is a flowering perennial related to anise, another plant with a flavor and aroma much like licorice. Alternately, licorice is a small shrub with an edible root. The candy known as black licorice owes its name to the plant, because it was the original flavoring for the candy.
Fennel
The entirety of fennel is edible; the flowers, stalks, roots, rhizomes and fruit all appear in a myriad of recipes and preparations. Fennel seed, the source of fennel essential oil, is actually the product of drying the ripe fruit. Culinary applications include biscuits, breads, salads, sauerkraut and Italian sausages. Manufacturers also include the essential oil in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, perfumes and soaps. Additionally, either the seeds or oil serve as ingredients in prepared meats, candy, condiments, ice cream, baked goods, toothpaste, and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
Licorice
Licorice root owes its distinct flavor and aroma to a unique compound called glycyrrhizin. In large doses, glycyrrhizin could elevate blood pressure, which is potentially dangerous. However, the compound appears in licorice root in proportions that are usually harmless with moderate consumption. Licorice root is used as a flavoring for drinks, tobacco and prepared foods, while the compound glycyrrhizin appears in some medicines. Licorice root may effectively treat heartburn in tandem with a variety of other herbs, but there is insufficient evidence for its efficacy in a myriad of treatments. Such treatments include eczema, lupus, arthritis, prostate cancer, cough, infertility, weight loss, cramps, hepatitis, stomach ulcers, cough and chronic fatigue syndrome.
Black Licorice
Black licorice is a candy with a flavor akin to licorice root. This is because originally, black licorice contained glycyrrhizin to achieve its distinct flavor. However, it has since become just as likely that black licorice candy contains anise or a combination of anise and licorice to achieve its particular flavor. A relative of fennel, anise shares this distinct flavor and aroma, which leads to confusion between anise and fennel. Only black licorice candy contains licorice root or anise; other varieties, like red licorice, use completely different flavorings.
Considerations
The fennel variety that is typically used as a vegetable is called Florence Fennel. Its preparation leaves a thickened leaf-stem-bulb combination that looks akin to bok choy and includes the root and rhizome of the plant. Usually served raw, it is also pickled or used in stews and stir fry dishes. This type of fennel is extremely nutritious, and it contains a large proportion of nutrients relative to its low caloric value. Vitamin and mineral content includes carotene, iron, calcium, potassium and vitamin C. Frequent ingestion of fennel as a vegetable could be a beneficial addition to a balanced diet.
However, as aforementioned, licorice root in large amounts could be dangerous. Glycyrrhizin naturally present in licorice root could cause hypertension, nerve problems, erectile dysfunction as well as other sexual problems and preterm labor. It can also worsen kidney disease, hypokalemia, hypertonia and heart disease. Moreover, glycyrrhizin interacts with sexual hormones, causing disruptions in men and decreasing the efficacy of estrogen supplements, including birth control. Women that are breastfeeding should not ingest licorice root.
References
- MedlinePlus: Licorice
- The Herb Society of America: Fennel
- "The Encyclopedia of Nutrition and Good Health"; Robert A. Ronzio; 2003
- "Food and Nutrition Encyclopedia, Volume 1"; Audrey H. Ensminger; 1994
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