SWEET FENNEL SEEDS

Foeniculum vulgare var. dulce ‘Berfena'

An ancient medicinal, and one gentle enough to have long been administered to babies with tummy troubles and to nursing mothers. The seeds were historically chewed to alleviate hunger pains when purposefully fasting or inadvertently starving. In medieval Europe the fronds were strewn and hung about sacred places to discourage the odd passing demon.

‘Berfena' is a superior strain for the production of seeds for distillation as well as tea and tincture. Relatively compact plants are entirely edible and suitable for culinary use. Blooms and ripens seed earlier than other varieties. Seeds contain high concentrations of anethole. Fantastic sweet flavor and fragrance.

These plants do not produce large bulbs, but the tender leaves can be snipped and used like dill, and big handfuls make a great addition to spanakopita. Whole plants may be used for roasting, steaming or smoking fish and contribute to fantastic fish and vegetable stocks. The use of ground fennel seeds as a spice is common to diverse cuisines, including Sicilian, Indian, and Scandinavian. It is one of the featured botanicals in traditional Five Spice.

Mildly estrogenic, whole seeds and their extractives may be used in treating the symptoms of dysmenorrhea, peri-menopause, and some cases of post-partum depression. The essential oil should be avoided by pregnant women that wish to stay that way.

Seeds may be sown directly into the garden in full sun around the date of the last spring frost. They may also be started in flats and transplanted around the same time. Water just until established. Vigorous plants need little attention once they are well-rooted. Seeds prefer to ripen in warm dry conditions.

Fennel flowers are beloved by beneficial insects, and the plants are a favored food of Swallowtail butterfly caterpillars.

Packet contains around 500 seeds.