It is impossible to imagine an Indian feast that does not end with Mukhwas. As the name suggests, Mukhwas is an after meal mouth freshener, that is made from roasted fennel seeds. Indians have a special affinity towards fennel seeds. Indians use fennel seeds for a variety of things. In South India, people make fennel water out of fennel seeds. In Eastern India, it is used as one of the main ingredients in a type of spice mixture called panch phoran. It is also used extensively in cooking in North India, especially in Kashmir and Gujarat. In Ayurveda, fennel seeds are used to lessen three doshas of Pitta, Vata, Kapha, the regulating forces of nature.

The word fennel is evolved from the Latin word feniculum or foeniculum which was modified as fenol or finol in Old English. The fennel plant is green with a hollow stem, that usually grows around 2.5 meters or 8 feet high. The leaves of this plant have a threadlike appearance. The usage of fennel dates back to the Greek and Roman days. In ancient Greece, people referred to fennel seeds as “Marathon”. In fact, “The Battle of Marathon” was named so because, the battle between Greece and the Persian forces happened in the fennel fields of Marathon, leading to a Greek victory. During the medieval times, fennel seeds were placed at the entrance of English households to ward off the evil spirits. Greeks and the Romans held the plant in high regard for its medicinal and culinary properties.

Fennel is native to the Mediterranean. It was initially cultivated by the Greeks and it spread to Europe gradually. Once fennel gained popularity owing to its medicinal properties, it spread to other parts of the world. Presently, the largest cultivators of fennel are Russia, Romania, Germany, and France in Europe, and India and Japan in Asia. The climatic conditions in the northern parts of India are favourable for the cultivation of this plant. India is the largest producer of these seeds in the world. These plants are cultivated in almost every part of the country. Major production states include the northwestern state of Rajasthan; Madhya Pradesh; Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka in the south; Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and Haryana in the north.

The entire fennel plant can be used for different purposes. The flowers and leaves can be used for garnishing, the leaves and stalks are used in salads and as sprinklers on pizzas. The dried fruit is usually chewed to increase the production of saliva. It is also used as flavouring in alcohols, soups, sauces, meat items, pastries etc. Fennel bulbs, seeds, and leaves are used in cooking. An equally important part of the plant is the small yellow flowers also called pollens. Fennel pollens are also used in cooking.

Fennel seeds have several medicinal uses. Fennel seeds are primarily used as a mouth freshener and an antacid. Boiled fennel seeds and leaves or their broth can help get rid of flatulence and help in weight loss. Fennel seeds can be used as a painkiller and help reduce swelling, in people suffering from gout and cramps. Fennel is also considered to be good for the eyes. Though there is no scientific evidence for this, it is believed that consumption of fennel seeds boosts the production of milk in breastfeeding mothers.

Basic Facts about Fennel Seeds:

• Botanical name- Foeniculum vulgare
• Family- Apiaceae/ Carrot
• Common Name- Saunf
• Sanskrit name- Madhurika
• Parts used- Seeds, stalks, leaves, flowers, bulbs
• Native region and geographical distribution - Fennel seeds are cultivated all over the world. It is native to the Mediterranean. India is the largest producer of fennel in the world, accounting for 60% of the total fennel production, followed by China and Bulgaria.
• Interesting facts- Fennel seeds as also referred to as ‘meeting seeds’ because, in olden days, people used to carry these seeds to munch on them during long church services.

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