Fennel seeds come from the common fennel variety plant and are available whole or ground.   These are widely used in Italian cooking to flavor sweet and savory dishes such as stews and sausages.  Their taste and aroma is similar to anise, but not as sweet.

These oval, greenish seeds come from a bulbless variety of fennel. Available whole or ground, they have a slight licorice flavor and aroma.

Either ground or whole, these seeds have a sweet aniseed flavor. Used in Malay and Indian curries, they can be added to fish, egg dishes and stews as well as to salads, dressings and sauces.