Fennel seeds (Souff)
Fennel Seeds commonly known as Souff, is a perennial herb. It is erect, glaucous green, and grows to heights of up to 2.5 m, with hollow stems. Fennel is widely cultivated, both in its native range and elsewhere, for its edible, strongly flavored leaves and fruits. Fennel has become naturalized along roadsides, in pastures, and in other open sites in many regions, including northern Europe, the United States, southern Canada, and much of Asia and Australia. The bulb, foliage, and seeds of the fennel plant are used in many of the culinary traditions of the world. Dried fennel seed is an aromatic, anise-flavored spice, brown or green in color when fresh, slowly turning a dull grey as the seed ages. For cooking, green seeds are optimal. The leaves are delicately flavored and similar in shape to those of dill.
