Fennel seed, known as xiao hui xiang in Tradtional Chinese Medicine, is aromatic and slightly reminiscent of licorice in flavor. The
whole seeds are added to soups, sauces and baked goods.
In Italian cuisine,
whole fennel seed is the essential ingredient for authentic Italian meatballs
and tomato sauce. In India, whole fennel seeds are combined with sesame seeds,
coconut flakes and nuts and then roasted and coated with sugar to make a
savory-sweet snack known as mukhwa.