Anise is a very common aromatic plant that has many culinary uses. It also receives the scientific name of Pimpinella anisum or else it is commonly known as matalahúva or sweet grass. Although its origin is in Asia, the country where it is most cultivated and where it is most appreciated is Spain.
The flavor of the anise plant is a very pleasant sweet and, among its uses, making anise liquor or using the seeds to flavor foods stands out. It is recommended to use it in moderation since its flavor is very strong, which causes other smells and flavors to be covered. It is also widely used in confectionery, confectionery and bakery.
If you want to know more about the how is the anise plant and its care, Don’t miss this EcologíaVerde article where we explain it to you.
Characteristics of the wild anise plant
As we have mentioned, the anise plant is used both for cooking and for home care and decoration. In this way, some of the characteristics of anise are:
- Is a herbaceous, aromatic, annual plant: if you want to know more about herbaceous plants: characteristics and examples, do not hesitate to visit this other article that we recommend.
- You can reach a height of 60 or 80 cm.
- Have small white flowers: they are grouped with filicine green leaves. The leaves are usually no more than 5 cm long and the flowers measure 3 mm.
- It has grey/green fruits: they are oval in shape and hairy. In addition, anise fruits contain essential oil rich in anethole.
- usually bloom in mid summer: between July and August.
types of anise
It is worth mentioning that there are different types of anise, among which we can highlight:
- green anise: it is the common anise that we all know and that is also often called sweet anise. It usually has a medicinal use to combat indigestion and heartburn, although it is also used in cosmetics.
- Star anise: It is typical of Asia and is used as an infusion or dessert. Its name is given by its shape, as it resembles that of a star.
- japanese anise: Its consumption is dangerous since, being toxic, it can cause problems in the urinary tract. That is why it is not a well-known anise either.
- Anise from Florence: It is used to cook savory dishes and is commonly known as fennel. If you want to know more about the care of fennel, do not hesitate to visit this post that we suggest.
anise lighting
The anise plant is a plant that manages to develop much better when it is in the sun. Being originally from southern Europe, it is more than used to being exposed to long hours in the sun, so you can plant it in full sun no problem.
Visit this other EcologíaVerde post where we show you the perfect plants and flowers for very sunny gardens.
anise temperature
Another care of anise refers to temperature, although it is not something that we can control. Even so, it is necessary to remember that it does not support excessively cold temperatures. For this reason, it is a plant of warm and temperate climate with temperatures of approximately 15 ºC. It also does not withstand floods or dry winds well.
If you want to find out more about What is the temperate climate of the Mediterranean, do not hesitate to take a look at this article that we recommend.
anise floor
One of the most characteristic care of anise is the soil. The anise plant can be planted and cultivated in any type of soil: whether on dry, moist, soft, calcareous, sandy or even light soils. In the event that the soil is excessively acid, a little lime can be added.
On the other hand, you have to pay special attention to minerals, since you need a soil that is rich in minerals and organic matter with a pH between 6.0-6.7 but without exceeding it. In addition, you also need a good drainage.
We leave you this other post about The best soil for plant growth that may be able to help you.
anise fertilizer
The fertilizer for the anise plant can be from compost to manure, since anise benefits from any type of fertilizer. If you opt for manure, ideally it should be one in which another plant has already been planted previously. If you plan to harvest, a potassium-based mineral fertilizer is necessary above all, since too much nitrogen can harm it, for example.
Discover the Types of compost or How to make homemade organic fertilizer for plants in these other two posts that we recommend.
anise irrigation
If you are wondering how to water the anise, it must be a balanced irrigation, since both drought and waterlogging harm it. In this way, water sparingly and regularly between 2 and 3 times a week until the anise plant reaches at least a height of between 6 and 8 cm. From here you can reduce watering. If we are going to grow anise, we must also take into account that the risks should be more constant and regular.
sowing of anise
Planting is usually done at late winter, always in rows with a distance of 20-25 cm between them. What you should do is cover the seeds with soil, since they need darkness to be able to germinate, something that usually happens after two or three weeks.
In the event that you live in an area that is too cold, you can start sowing anise Inside the house since the plant does not reach maturity until 120 days later.
anise harvest
As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, the anise plant is a herbaceous plant that can be grown in a pot or in a garden. If what you do is plant the anise in a pot, keep in mind that it must have good drainage and a 8cm depth at least.
The harvest and collection of anise seeds is done between August and September, when the seeds start to turn brown but are still slightly green. What we must do is:
- Cut the flower umbrella of the anise plant: do it in the morning and, in case you are not using the leaves of the anise plant, you can remove the whole plant.
- Tie the bunches and put them in a cool place: it should also be a well-ventilated place where they get direct sunlight so that they the seeds dry.
- Find a warm area: make sure that the area where you put the bunches is a warm and hot area, as this facilitates the drying process of the seeds.
- Rub the flower umbrella to separate the seeds.
Once you have harvested the crop, store the seeds in a dark and cool place.
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