Fennel seeds are a spice harvested from one of several types of herb fennel plant. They have a sweet, powerful flavor that's similar to licorice. Fennel seeds have traditionally been used in Italian cooking. Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) is a versatile vegetable with a licorice-like taste. Fennel originated in the Mediterranean, where wild (a.k.a., “bitter”) fennel still grows. Although exact dates are lost, it was likely first cultivated in either Greece or Italy and was used for both medicinal and culinary purposes.

The fennel plant is grown for its seeds, leaves and edible shoots. Fennel seeds are used as kitchen spices around the world. In India, fennel seeds are popularly known as saunf. India is one of the largest exporters of fennel. Fennel seeds (also known as saunf in Indian cooking) are the dried seeds of the plant and look similar to cumin seeds but are greener rather than the browner colour of cumin. They have an aniseed or liquorice type aroma and flavour, although they are less strong in taste and smell than liquorice.