Can Italian Seasoning have a licorice flavor?!


Question: I recently received a spice rack for a gift, and the italian seasoning almost tastes like it has a licorice flavor, ... maybe an anisse seed. I've never heard of that being in italian seasonings. Is this something that they're starting to add to the seasoning?

And it's not old... it still gives off great flavor, but it's just got that darn slight taste of licorice.


Answers: I recently received a spice rack for a gift, and the italian seasoning almost tastes like it has a licorice flavor, ... maybe an anisse seed. I've never heard of that being in italian seasonings. Is this something that they're starting to add to the seasoning?

And it's not old... it still gives off great flavor, but it's just got that darn slight taste of licorice.

I can say with certainty that the licorice flavor comes from fennel seeds. I made my own Italian seasoning once, to use in pizza sauce, and fennel seed was one of the ingredients. I identified it from a commercial pizza, chewing them separately to identify the flavor, so I could find the right item in the spice dept. Aniseed would have a much stronger flavor, I wouldn't be able to eat anything with that in it.

either anise seed ... or maybe there's fennel in there. I agree with you. I don't like licorice flavoring in food either:)

Your using too much

less than a dash, these flavors are very pungent and grow when heating

I suspect is dried fennel, which the Italians are mad about it, coud be the feathery bits of the plant or very possibly the seeds.

It is possible it actually does have licorice on it. Licorice root grows in souther eurpoe, Iraq and Iran, and parts of China..

Fennel seed is usually present in Italian seasoning blends. Fennel is wonderful and an essential ingredient in Italian sausage, and enhances red sauce beautifully. I usually add more fennel seed than is contained in the blend just because it is so delightful.





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