Fennel Seeds have a sweet, mild liquorice taste.Whenever a recipe calls for just “fennel”, you have to do your best to figure out what it is calling for: the bulbous root of the plant, the stalks, or the seeds. Basically, you have to judge based on the amount being called for.
If the recipe is calling for 1 teaspoon, then they mean the seed. If the recipe says ½ a pound, it definitely doesn’t mean the seed.
Substitutes
Anise or caraway seeds, or dill seed
Language Notes
Foeniculum vulgare var dulce is the variety of Fennel grown for its seeds.