There are two types of fennel. The first is common fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), an upright aromatic herb with feathery foliage and umbels of yellow flowers. The second is Florence fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum), a bulbous variety eaten as a vegetable.
Are there different varieties of fennel?
There are two different types of fennel. Both forms sport feathery foliage, similar to dill leaves, and have a pronounced anise or licorice flavor. The type grown as an herb—common fennel—features finely textured foliage that reaches 3 to 5 feet tall.
Which type of fennel is best?
Popular Varieties:
- Rhondo– they are quick to mat Rhondo have uniform round bulbs.
- Cantino– this variety of vegetable fennel is very slow-growing. These are good for early planting.
- Victoria– this type shows more resistance to bolting and is a more vigorous.
- Mantavo– it is a slow bolting variety with a fairly good yield.
What is the difference between fennel and sweet fennel?
Florence fennel is an annual vegetable bulb that is similar in texture to celery but has an anise flavor. Sweet fennel is a perennial herb that is used to flavor food dishes with its dried seeds. It has licoricey-smelling feathery leaves and gets up to 6 feet tall.
What is the difference between fennel and Bronze fennel?
Beyond the differences in color of the plant, there is little difference in the uses of fennel varieties. All parts of plant, from the stem to the leaves, seeds and root, are edible. However, Bronze fennel is largely valued for its seeds, which have a milder, more delicate taste than the other fennels.
What is the difference between fennel and Florence fennel?
Common fennel and Florence fennel
There are two types of fennel. The first is common fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), an upright aromatic herb with feathery foliage and umbels of yellow flowers. The second is Florence fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum), a bulbous variety eaten as a vegetable.
What is the difference between fennel and wild fennel?
The domesticated fennel has a large edible white bulb, which is wonderful raw in salads and cooked in many different ways. Its fronds have very little flavor. Wild fennel, however, does not produce a bulb. Its edible parts are the springtime fronds and the summertime seeds.
Is fennel toxic?
Fennel may cause sun poisoning, skin reactions, and cross reactions. The oil may cause hallucinations and seizures. Premature breast development in girls has been reported with the use of fennel. Poison hemlock may be mistaken for fennel.
Can you eat fennel raw?
The fennel bulb is enjoyed raw, where its anise flavor is most pronounced, and cooked for a sweeter, mellower version of itself. But don’t pitch the rest! The entire fennel plant is not only edible but delicious.
Why is fennel good for you?
Fennel contains beta-carotene (which is converted to vitamin A in the body) and vitamin C, which is important for collagen production and tissue repair. Both these nutrients play an important role in maintaining the health of the skin, as well as the mucous membranes that protect organs like the respiratory tract.
Are all fennel plants edible?
All parts of the fennel plant are edible, from its tender leaves to its plump seeds. Most gardeners favour bulb fennel, grown for its crisp, celery-like stems, and plants that bolt produce harvestable flowers and seeds.
Why is fennel called anise?
Chefs of all levels incorporate fennel leaves (similar in texture to dill), pollen, and essential oils into dishes worldwide. Fennel is often confused with anise because their seeds have a similar appearance and flavor and North American grocery stores often label fennel bulbs as “anise.”
Is fennel an appetite suppressant?
Fennel fruit, a type of herb belonging to the Apiaceae family has been widely used for medicine and clinical studies with female obese patients show that its seed has significant efficacy on appetite control [2], prevents weight gain and reduces the efficiency of dietary intake due to appetite control [3].
What is another name for bulb fennel?
What is Fennel bulb? Fennel bulb also known as Sweet Anise has a sweet, mild licorice flavor. This is a popular European vegetable, especially in Italy and France. Not to be confused with herb anise, which is grown for its seeds which are sold as a seasoning.
What does Bronze fennel look like?
This tall, wispy Mediterranean herb resembles Dill, but its leaves and seeds have an anise flavor. The ornamental variety, F. vulgare ‘Purpureum’, is grown for its dark and smoky new foliage and broad flat heads of yellow flowers in summer.
Should you cut back Bronze fennel?
If fennel is being grown exclusively for its foliage, remove the yellow flowerheads to prevent it from self-seeding. When flowers have finished them cut back to 30cm from the ground.
Does fennel grow back every year?
Herb fennel is closely related to the vegetable Florence fennel. However, the herb is grown as a perennial, making a long-lived plant with aromatic, feathery leaves and tall heads of yellow flowers in early summer.
Month by month.
| January | February | March |
|---|---|---|
| Sow | ||
| April | May | June |
| Sow | Sow Harvest | Sow Harvest |
| July | August | September |
Why did my fennel not form a bulb?
So, the most likely reason for no bulb on fennel is that you have planted the wrong type. You can still use the lower stalks, the leaves and seeds, which will have a somewhat mellower but still delightful flavor than the bulb. Another reason for fennel with no bulb is planting too late.
Can you grow fennel from a bulb?
Absolutely! When you buy fennel from the store, the bottom of the bulb should have a noticeable base to it – this is where the roots grew from. When you cut up your fennel to cook with, leave this base and just a little bit of the attached bulb intact. Regrowing fennel plants is very easy.
Can you cook with wild fennel?
Fronds, Not Bulbs
You won’t be tossing wild fennel greens into a pan as you would other greens though. To cook wild fennel fronds, you’ll need to simmer then in water until they’re tender and taste good to you, which can take 15-20 minutes or more.
Is wild fennel good for you?
Both the flavorful, crunchy bulb and aromatic seeds of the fennel plant are highly nutritious and may offer an abundance of impressive health benefits. Adding them to your diet may improve heart health, reduce inflammation, suppress appetite, and even provide anticancer effects.
Lorraine Wade is all about natural food. She loves to cook and bake, and she’s always experimenting with new recipes. Her friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of her culinary skills! Lorraine also enjoys hiking and exploring nature. She’s a friendly person who loves to chat with others, and she’s always looking for ways to help out in her community.