What is fennel?

Similar to Marmite, fennel is a divisive ingredient that elicits either love or hate due to its potent aniseed taste. There is no middle ground when it comes to its strong flavour. Belonging to the same family as the herb and seed sharing its name, fennel is also called Florence fennel, finocchio, or sweet fennel. It is highly renowned in Italian cuisine and boasts a bulb-like shape reminiscent of sturdy celery.

When consumed raw, fennel has a crisp texture and a distinctively bold flavor. However, when cooked, it becomes tender and develops a mellower taste.