Anise is the ripe, dried, crescent shaped seeds of the herb Pimpinella Anisum. They have an unmistakably distinctive licorice-like flavor.

Anise is used whole or crushed in cookies, cakes, breads, cheese, pickles, stews, fish and shellfish. Roasting enhances the flavor. Middle East, Portuguese, German, Italian and French cuisines use anise in seasoning blends such as curry, hoisin, sausage and pepperoni seasonings.