Micro Anise
Inventory, 4 oz : 0
This item was last sold on : 07/14/22
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Description/Taste
Micro Anise is very small in size, averaging 5-10 centimeters in length, and has broad, flat leaves with serrated or toothed edges. The green leaves are thin, smooth, soft, and somewhat round, connected to slender, crunchy, pale green stems. Micro Anise is tender and crisp with an herbaceous and green, licorice-like flavor. In addition to licorice undertones, Micro Anise also has a mild, peppery flavor with notes of mint, lemon, sage, and pine.
Seasons/Availability
Micro Anise is available year-round.
Current Facts
Micro Anise is a tiny, edible leaf that is a part of a line of specialty greens grown by Fresh Origins Farm, the leading national producer of both common and unique microgreens, located in San Diego, California. Fresh Origins Farm has been supplying distributors with these specialty greens for over twenty years and uses the sunny Southern California climate to produce healthy crops with bold, exceptional flavors. Harvested approximately 14-25 days after sowing, Micro Anise is favored by chefs as a garnish to add a feathery, crisp texture and a fresh, minty, licorice flavor into both savory and sweet dishes.
Nutritional Value
Micro Anise contains some beta-carotene, calcium, vitamins C, E, and K, and iron.
Applications
Micro Anise is best suited for raw applications, specifically as a garnish, as the leaves will wilt if exposed to prolonged periods of heat. Micro Anise leaves compliment both savory and sweet dishes and can add height and color when placed on top of seafood, meats, or garnishing soups. The greens can also be layered in sandwiches, tossed into salads, sprinkled over cooked vegetables, blended into sauces, or served over warm bread. In addition to savory applications, Micro Anise can be used to garnish desserts and baked fruits. Micro Anise pairs well with cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, citrus, fennel, carrots, figs, coconuts, apples, chestnuts, pumpkin, beef, lamb, and poultry. The greens will keep 5-7 days when stored unwashed, in a sealed container, and in the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Micro Anise is a modern green that high-end chefs are adding to dessert recipes to add a mild licorice flavor without it becoming overbearing. Microgreens have recently developed into a culinary trend focused on sourcing organic and locally grown foods from reputable distributors and can provide elevated colors, textures, and flavors to dishes. Micro Anise is popularly used as a garnish over ice cream, cookies, and cakes. They are also a favorite edible garnish to display alongside appetizers during high teas and complement the herbal notes in chai. In addition to flavoring food, Micro Anise is sometimes used in the craft cocktail industry to create artistic, edible garnishes. Licorice flavoring pairs especially well with whiskey, vodka, rye, and scotch, and Micro Anise provides an herbal, vegetal twist on classic cocktails to create a fresh update.
Geography/History
Micro Anise was created by Fresh Origins Farm in San Diego, California in the 1990s-2000s as a part of the growing microgreen trend. The greens are grown in greenhouses that allow for natural sunlight and continuous air circulation, which is an ideal climate for optimum growth and year-round production. Today Micro Anise can be found at select distributors of Fresh Origins, such as Specialty Produce, and is available across the United States.