Anise seeds are sweet and provide a subtle licorice flavor. They are common in eastern Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, where they originate, but are also used in some Indian curries.

All about Anise Seed, Spice

What it’s like, and how to make it

HeatNo heat
CuisineMediterranean, indian & south & asian, chinese & east & asian
Best forBaking sweet
Goes inBaked goods desserts, beverages cocktails
WithPork
What’s in itanise seed

How to use it

Toast whole seeds dry for 30 seconds until fragrant, then crush into cookie dough or bread. Steep a teaspoon in hot water for a traditional digestive tea. Scatter on top of flatbread before baking. The whole seeds look beautiful in biscotti and add bursts of licorice when you bite in. The licorice spice. Half a teaspoon in biscotti, shortbread, or pizzelle dough. Stir into tomato sauce for an Italian grandmother's secret. A pinch in coffee or hot chocolate adds a sweet, aromatic twist. Start small — anethole is intensely sweet.

  • Anise Seed, Whole spice, shown over a chalk-and-watercolour illustration
  • Anise Seed, Ground spice, shown over a chalk-and-watercolour illustration
  • Illustration: Anise Seed, Whole with the Nile valley in ancient Egypt
  • Illustration: Anise Seed, Ground with Plomari on the island of Lesbos in the early evening
  • Illustration: Pan de Muerto, made with Anise Seed
  • Illustration: Moroccan Anise Bread, made with Anise Seed
  • Illustration of Anise Seed, Whole in The Tea & Spice Shoppe bag and jar, with the Nile valley in ancient Egypt
  • Illustration of Anise Seed, Ground in The Tea & Spice Shoppe bag and jar, with Plomari on the island of Lesbos in the early evening
  • Anise Seed - The Tea & Spice Shoppe
  • Anise Seed - The Tea & Spice Shoppe
  • Anise Seed - Ground - The Tea & Spice Shoppe

What it goes with

Anise's sweetness pairs beautifully with our Earl Grey — bergamot and licorice are old friends. For a calming evening option, try our Chamomile — both are traditional digestive herbs that complement each other.

Also in these blends

On its own, this is the straight thing. It also goes into these blends, each made for a different evening. Read about Anise →

Reviews

What the time-travelers say

206 of the shop’s 213 reviews are five stars — left by people who actually bought the tea

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Jamaican Curry Powder

Great products and great service

I had a slight mix up on my order, they were quick to reply and correct my order with no issues. Amazing service and great…

I had a slight mix up on my order, they were quick to reply and correct my order with no issues. Amazing service and great products.

— Nick C. Verified

Peach White, Organic

Great tea

A lovely, delicate tea. The peach is strong without being overwhelming or cloying, and the calendula is a nice addition. Very…

A lovely, delicate tea. The peach is strong without being overwhelming or cloying, and the calendula is a nice addition. Very tasty!

— Zoe R. Verified

Maple Peach

Maple Peach

The maple peach is delicious. What a beautiful combination. I will most definitely order it again, and a higher quantity of it.

— Gerda S. Verified

Dill Weed

Always handy

I use dillweed often. This dill is fresh and has a nice aroma. I use it in marinades, salad dressings, and on fish. Good stuff.

— Jennifer D. Verified

Detox Tea, Organic

Great stuff

This has helped my household a lot with circulation and alertness when we had it everyday. Will be ordering again soon. Thanks

— Dave G. Verified

Blueberry Bang Rooibos

Love this tea. Hands down my fav rooibos. This store is our one-stop-shop for tea and spice. Great service, top notch product.…

Love this tea. Hands down my fav rooibos. This store is our one-stop-shop for tea and spice. Great service, top notch product. 10/10!!

— Erin Poeta P. Verified

English Breakfast Decaf

Delicious

I love this black tea, it has a really nice smooth flavour and love how it’s Swiss water method decaf. Will be buying again!

— Jessica A. Verified

Toffee Olé

Great flavorful tea

Toffee Ole is one of our favorite teas to share with friends in the evening, when we want something non-caffeinated but quite…

Toffee Ole is one of our favorite teas to share with friends in the evening, when we want something non-caffeinated but quite flavorful.

— Joel R. Verified

Assam Estate CTC BOP

Another full bodied ‘real tea’ . ie It is not a flavoured tea. However, we do very much enjoy the Cafe Latte tea which is a…

Another full bodied ‘real tea’ . ie It is not a flavoured tea. However, we do very much enjoy the Cafe Latte tea which is a flavoured tea!!!

— Ted H. Verified

Ayurvedic Throat Coat

teas

love , love, love and they shipping is very fast. the headache tea works great, the throat coat tea works great as well

— Miranda A. Verified

Ayurvedic Breathe Deep

4 stars

It worked beautifully; perhaps if I add a little more honey, it would make it better… It is a wellness tea, after all!

— Merrilee B. Verified

Bancha, Organic

Bancha with a splash of lemon

A wonderful Green Tea. Smooth in taste. Also suitable as a summer tea with a splash of lemon. A second infusion makes an…

A wonderful Green Tea. Smooth in taste. Also suitable as a summer tea with a splash of lemon. A second infusion makes an enjoyable second cup!

— Monika F. Verified

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Other ways in

Home The front door — what the shop has, how it reaches you, and where a cup can take you, in one scroll. Start here Collections Every shelf in the shop on one page — teas by leaf and flavour, spices by kind and cuisine. Open any shelf to see what is on it. Browse the shelves The Showroom The whole shop on one floor — every tea, spice and blend, filtered by what you are after, with the basket beside you. Open the Showroom Elsewhere Short trips — a place, a moment, a feeling — each with the teas and spices that get you there. Take a trip Ingredients Every plant, seed, bark and salt in the shop on one page — what it is, why it is in the blend, and where it comes from. See them all Local Delivery & Shipping How it reaches you — free Calgary delivery over $60, one flat rate for every province, and what happens if it is wrong. See the rates