Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.)

Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill.) is an aromatic annual, biennial or perennial herbaceous plant from the Apiaceae family. In commercial practice, the product is often searched for as fennel seeds, while the correct used plant part is the dried fruit. The medicinal plant develops upright, round, hollow, bluish-green stems, finely divided leaves and small yellow flowers arranged in compound umbels. The fruits are elongated, grey-green to greenish-brown, with a characteristic sweet, anise-like aroma.

Basic Information

• Latin name: Foeniculum vulgare Mill.
• Part used: fruits / seeds (Fructus Foeniculi / Foeniculi fructus)
• Subcategory: seeds
• Raw material type: cultivated
• Harvest period: July – September

Raw Material Characteristics

Fennel fruits are collected when they begin to turn yellow and reach the wax-ripe stage. Because ripening is uneven, harvesting may be carried out in stages. High-quality raw material should be well dried, clean and have a clearly pronounced aroma. Fennel is suitable for products where a mild, sweet, anise-like taste and a stable spice profile are required.

Chemical Composition

Fennel fruits contain essential oil, with anethole and fenchone as characteristic components. The raw material also contains fixed oil, proteins, flavonoids, coumarins and mineral substances.

Suitable for the Production of

• teas and herbal formulas for digestive comfort
• spice blends
• dry and liquid botanical extracts
• herbal powders and flours
• aromatic products
• liqueurs and alcoholic beverages
• food products and culinary blends

Medicinal Properties and Effects on the Body

Fennel has the following properties:

• carminative
• antispasmodic
• expectorant
• antimicrobial
• antioxidant
• supports normal digestion
• beneficial effect on bloating and gas

Forms Available

• fennel fruits / seeds (Fructus Foeniculi / Foeniculi fructus) – whole dried, crushed, cut to custom size upon request, or ground into herbal powder / flour

Quality and Documentation

Upon request, a Certificate of Analysis (COA), technical documentation, batch traceability and additional documents may be provided.

Inquiry

Contact us for availability, bulk quantities, samples and a custom quotation based on the required raw material specifications.