# Are Fennel & Anise the Same?
Fennel and anise are different plants that share a similar flavor, reminiscent of licorice. Fennel is cultivated as a vegetable whereas anise is an herb, grown for its seeds and essential oil. The unrelated though similarly flavored star anise is cultivated for its star-shaped fruit.
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Fennel
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Fennel is cultivated in the United States and the Mediterranean. It has a bulb-like base and feathery leaves. The bulb and stalks can be sliced and cooked or eaten raw; the fronds are often used as a garnish. Fennel has a milder, sweeter taste than anise.
Anise
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Anise grows in Europe, east Asia and north Africa. Its seeds are used to flavor food and drinks. Anise seeds are also distilled to produce oil, which can scent and flavor products such as toothpaste.
Star Anise
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Star anise, sometimes called anise mint, is a small evergreen bush. It is related to the magnolia and is most commonly grown in China. Its star-shaped fruits can be dried and used as a spice or distilled into oil.
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