Fennel seeds are often confused with the more common cumin, anise and caraway seeds, but have a very different flavour profiles. This spice, however, is very popular in a lot of cuisines, including but not limited to India, South East Asian, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and Italian.

Fennel seeds are an important part of spice mixes. Like all spices, fennel seeds benefit from dry roasting before use, especially if using the ground. In South Asia, they're chewed raw with sugar cubes to freshen the mouth and aid digestion after meals.