Question About Fennel

Deborah · August 13, 2015

Does anyone know why wild fennel has that delicious licorice fragrance but the fennel sold as plants in the herb section has no scent at all?

habitat_gardener · August 13, 2015

Overwatering?

I know that mediterranean/California herbs grown in lean soil and neglected, as a general rule, tend to be stronger medicinally and have stronger flavors and aromas than those grown in good garden soil with ample water.

Worth1 · August 13, 2015

Been a long time since I ate wild fennel from the arid slopes of California.

Worth

Father'sDaughter · August 13, 2015

I don't know, but herb fennel is easy to grow (not the type that bulbs -- it's a different variety). I've grown it in the past for both the pollen and the seeds, and yes it has that wonderful licorice flavor. Mine was grown from Franchi seeds I purchased from Seeds of Italy.

clkeiper · August 14, 2015

No idea, but I agree, it is easy to grow. it actually becomes a weed.

Worth1 · August 14, 2015

I have a confession to make.
When I was in the Marines in California I had never had anything that had fennel in it.
I had no idea what fennel even was or had eaten Italian sausage.
My experience with fennel comes from an idiotic test.
While on the slopes I noticed a weed growing that smelled like licorice.
So I put w wee bit in my mouth and tried it and it was good.
I didn't die or get sick so I started too increase the amount I tried and I never got sick.
So I just started eating it and the rest of the guys did too.
Then later on in life I was introduce to fennel seeds.
I noticed they tasted like the weed I was eating in California.
It was here or on garden web I asked if the weed in California was fennel.

That was when I found out for sure it was wild fennel I was eating.

Worth

Deborah · August 15, 2015

Worth, thank you for your service. About the fennel, thanks everyone. I'm thinking of collecting seeds next time I see wild fennel. I LOVE what others call weeds-dandelions, fennel, mustard...

August 13, 2015	#1
Deborah Riding The Crazy Train Again Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: San Marcos, California Posts: 2,562	Question About Fennel Does anyone know why wild fennel has that delicious licorice fragrance but the fennel sold as plants in the herb section has no scent at all?

August 14, 2015	#5
clkeiper Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ohio Posts: 4,350	No idea, but I agree, it is easy to grow. it actually becomes a weed. __________________ carolyn k

August 13, 2015	#2
habitat_gardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: California Central Valley Posts: 2,543	Overwatering? I know that mediterranean/California herbs grown in lean soil and neglected, as a general rule, tend to be stronger medicinally and have stronger flavors and aromas than those grown in good garden soil with ample water.

August 13, 2015	#3
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	Been a long time since I ate wild fennel from the arid slopes of California. Worth

August 13, 2015	#4
Father'sDaughter Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: MA/NH Border Posts: 4,919	I don't know, but herb fennel is easy to grow (not the type that bulbs -- it's a different variety). I've grown it in the past for both the pollen and the seeds, and yes it has that wonderful licorice flavor. Mine was grown from Franchi seeds I purchased from Seeds of Italy.

August 15, 2015	#7
Deborah Riding The Crazy Train Again Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: San Marcos, California Posts: 2,562	Worth, thank you for your service. About the fennel, thanks everyone. I'm thinking of collecting seeds next time I see wild fennel. I LOVE what others call weeds-dandelions, fennel, mustard...