What Does Anise Hyssop Taste Like?

You may have heard of its relative, anise hyssop, which tastes like a cross between mint and anise. It’s delicious, but let’s let plain-Jane hyssop take the spotlight today. Hyssop leaves and flowers taste a lot like mint, but with more floral character and a pleasant bitterness.

Is anise hyssop the same as licorice?

Anise hyssop is not related to anise (Pimpinella anisum), or hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis) for that matter. It does however, smell and taste somewhat like anise. When we speak of anise flavor, a few other herbs come into play: fennel and licorice.

Does anise hyssop smell like anise?

Anise hyssop (botanical name Agastache foeniculum) is a mint-like herb with leaves that taste of aniseed and smell like liquorice. Bees and butterflies particularly love the plant, and it also attracts other insects.

What part of anise hyssop is edible?

Both the flowers and leaves of Anise-Hyssop are edible. The leaves have a pleasant mild licorice/anise flavor while the flowers add a hint of floral sweetness. Harvested fresh, leaves can be added to summer pasta dishes or cold vegetable soups.

What can I use anise hyssop for?

Infused in tea, anise hyssop can be used to relieve congestion, acting as an expectorant (clearing mucus from lungs and airways). A cold-infusion can be used to relieve chest pains caused by excessive coughing, and mixed with licorice, it can be used to treat respiratory infections and bronchitis.

What is the difference between anise and anise hyssop?

Despite these names, anise hyssop is neither anise (Pimpinella anisum) nor hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis). Although, like hyssop, it is a member of the mint family (Lamiaceae). Anise hyssop is a perennial plant in the USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 4-8. It prefers well-drained soil in part sun to full sun.

What herb smells like black licorice?

Answer: Anise (Pimpinella anisum), an herb native to the Mediterranean region which has a strong licorice scent and the flowers are like those of the blue hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), a European native with many old world medicinal uses.

Where does anise hyssop grow?

Native to prairies, dry upland forested areas, plains and fields in the upper Midwest and Great Plains into Canada (from northern Colorado to Wisconsin and in Canada from Ontario west to British Columbia), this plant in the mint family (Lamiaceae) is hardy in zones 3 to 8. Anise hyssop has an upright form.

Is hyssop and anise the same thing?

Hyssop vs.
Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) and true hyssop flowers appear similar and even taste similar, but they come from different roots. Hyssop comes from Europe. Anise is native to North America and tends to be more drought resistant.

Where is hyssop in the Bible?

In Psalm 51:7 he wrote “Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” The sixth reference is during Jesus’ crucifixion when Hyssop was dipped in vinegar and wiped across Jesus’ lips to ease the suffering.

What are the health benefits of hyssop?

The nutrients and essential oils in hyssop can offer some helpful health effects. For example, hyssop is rich in flavonoids, flavorful compounds that can act as antioxidants. Eating foods rich in flavonoids may help reduce your risk of age-related conditions like cataracts, heart disease, and strokes.

Can you drink hyssop tea?

Eases Respiratory Problems
Drinking hyssop tea may help to ease those symptoms and help you feel normal again. Drinking tea can help to decrease stress and its anti-inflammatory properties help to lessen inflammation that can cause chest congestion and coughing.

Can you cook with anise hyssop?

The leaves can also be added to baked goods, including fruit tart and pie crusts. Add it to any baked goods that work well with a black licorice flavor, such as cookies or breads. Lemon pairs well with anise hyssop, so give this Lemony Anise Hyssop Tea Bread a try.

Does anise hyssop have medicinal properties?

Early Americans harnessed its medicinal powers and found that Anise Hyssop worked as a cough suppressant, fever reducer, and sore throat ameliorator – an ideal solution for common colds and flus. Since the plant has antibacterial qualities, it was also used in salves to treat wounds, burns and infections.

Is anise hyssop good for skin?

Since ancient times, anise has been a star in the spice world. Known for its antispasmodic, antiseptic, sedative, and detoxifying properties, anise oil is capable of keeping your skin healthy and lustrous. The sweet, calming licorice like aroma of anise is also said to melt away general soreness.

What does hyssop smell like?

Hyssop leaves have a scent that could be called ‘skunky’. But as a member of the mint family – the same family to which basil, mint, lavender, oregano, rosemary, sage and thyme belong – hyssop has a complex scent with minty overtones.

Is anise poisonous to humans?

Most people can safely consume anise without the risk of adverse side effects. However, it could trigger an allergic reaction, especially if you’re allergic to plants in the same family — such as fennel, celery, parsley or dill.

Is Anise Hyssop toxic to dogs?

Is Anise Toxic to Dogs? Anise is safe for dogs in small quantities.

Is Anise Hyssop the same as lavender?

Also called fragrant, lavender, or blue giant hyssop, this is an aromatic herb. The leaves have a refreshingly sweet smell and taste, like a combination of anise, licorice, and mint. Arranged in opposing fashion, the leaves are medium green, and shaped like spears with scalloped edges.

Why do I keep smelling black licorice?

Parosmia, on the other hand, is sometimes reported when patients are in the process of recovering their sense of smell — smelling a fire burning but registering the scent as licorice, for example.

What alcohol tastes like black licorice?

Absinthe is simply black licorice mixed with a hint of herbal flavor. It has primary flavors of anise, licorice, and herbal complexity, making it taste like more than licorice candy. According to The Wormwood Society, the primary flavors of absinthe are anise and licorice.