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What Herb is similar to licorice? check this out | herbs that taste like licorice

Author

Matthew Wilson

Updated on July 15, 2026

Basic Chemistry.Anise (Pimpinella anisum) Parts used: leaves and flowers; mainly seeds. Anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum) Parts used: leaves and flowers. Basil (Ocimum spp.) Chervil (Anthriscus cerefolium) Parts used: leaves and flowers. Dill (Anethum graveolens) Parts used: leaves, flowers, seeds.

Licorice-Flavored Foods: How Many Can You Name?
Anise (of course!)Star Anise.Fennel – bulb, fronds, and seed.Basil.Chervil.Caraway.

Which herbs have a licorice flavor?

Anise-Scented Herbs to Know
From left to right: Bronze fennel, anise hyssop, flowering chervil, and French tarragon. ANISE (Pimpinella anisum) is the common anise, a delicate annual that grows from 1 1/2 to 2 feet high. ANISE HYSSOP (Agastache foeniculum) is also known as licorice mint.

What seasoning taste like black licorice?

The fennel seed also produces a licorice-like flavor, but is described by the Spice Encyclopedia as “more aromatic, sweeter and less pungent” than anise. Yet another member of the parsley family, the spice can be purchased whole as oval-shaped, greenish-brown seeds or ground.

What spices have a licorice flavor?

The licorice taste and aroma found in a broad range of ingredients and seasonings – including fennel, fennel seed, anise seed and star anise – are being used in dishes from appetizers to desserts. Fennel, a celery-like anise-flavored vegetable, is increasingly common in produce markets.

Does basil taste like licorice?

However, there are a lot of complaints that sometimes the basil smells different, and not in a good way. Basil has been known to smell like licorice, anise, cinnamon, lemon, or even cat urine.

Does tarragon taste like licorice?

French tarragon has a pungent, licorice-like taste due to the presence of estragole, an organic compound that gives fennel, anise and tarragon their distinct flavors.

Does dill taste like licorice?

Dill belongs to the same family as celery and parsley. It’s extremely popular in Scandinavian cooking and is used atop salmon frequently (via Salmon From Norway). As far as taste goes, it shares the same faint sweetness as fennel, but it has more of an herbal, grassy flavor without the intense licorice flavor.

Does cumin taste like licorice?

Fennel seeds have a sweet flavour with strong anise seed and Licorice notes. On the other hand, cumin seeds offer a smoky and earthy note with a slight bitterness. But both of them are equally flavourful and aromatic. 3.

What is the Italian spice that tastes like licorice?

Star anise contains a substance called anethole, which is responsible for the licorice flavor of star anise fruits, anise seeds, and fennel seeds. (Like anise, fennel is a member of the family Apiaceae.)

What herb makes black licorice?

Black licorice candy is actually made from the licorice root, from the plant with the scientific name of Glycyrrhiza glabra. Now, that’s a mouthful! Per Britannica, this plant is native to southern Europe and is actually a part of the legume family.

Does star anise taste like licorice?

The flavor, which is contained in both the seeds and the star itself, is very sweet and licorice-like, similar to aniseed (though the plants are not related). In China, which has used it for centuries, star anise is a key ingredient in five-spice powder (with cloves, cinnamon, fennel and Sichuan peppercorns).

What greens taste like licorice?

Fennel: Fennel, aka anise or finocchio, is a white bulb with feathery green leaves. Sporting a mild licorice flavor, fennel should be used sparingly in salads to avoid overpowering other greens.

Why does my basil plant smell like licorice?

Basil smelling like licorice is normal. The smell of licorice is attributed to a chemical compound present in both licorice and anise known as anethole. Certain basil varieties have this compound which gives them their distinct smell and flavor, often described as either like licorice and anise.

Is anise basil the same as Thai basil?

Thai basil may sometimes be called chi neang vorng, anise basil or licorice basil, in reference to its anise- and licorice-like scent and taste, but it is different from the Western strains bearing these same names. Three types of basil are commonly used in Thai cuisine.

Why does my basil taste bad?

Once basil blooms, older leaves begin to deteriorate. Leaf production stops or slows, new leaves are small and flavors turn bitter. Frequent harvests prevent flowers and help retain taste.