Micro Fennel
Inventory, 4 oz : 0
This item was last sold on : 09/28/24
Fresh Origins | Homepage |
Description/Taste
Micro Fennel is very small in size, averaging 5-10 centimeters in length, and has thin, green, grass-like blades that curl outward from a central stem. The delicate leaves are finely textured, slim, lightweight, and may have a few, edible, soft, brown seeds still connected to the tips. Micro Fennel is tender and succulent with a lemony, black licorice scent and a mild, green flavor with sweet notes and a peppery-anise finish.
Seasons/Availability
Micro Fennel is available year-round.
Current Facts
Micro Fennel greens are the tiny, young, edible versions of the mature herb and are harvested approximately 14-21 days after sowing. Known for its tender texture and peppery-anise flavor, Micro Fennel is used in similar ways to regularly sized fennel and is used fresh and whole without any additional preparation. It is popularly selected as a garnish and is placed in small piles on top of dishes to showcase its delicate, thread-like texture.
Nutritional Value
Micro Fennel provides vitamin C, E, and K, antioxidants, potassium, and fiber.
Applications
Micro Fennel leaves are best suited for raw applications, specifically as a garnish, as the leaves will wilt if exposed to prolonged heat. Micro Fennel greens compliment both savory and sweet dishes and can add height and color when placed on top of seafood, meats, or garnishing soups. They can also be combined into dips and sauces, mixed into salads, placed in sandwiches, or sprinkled over pasta. Micro Fennel pairs well with Italian and Indian cuisine and with recipes that call for apples, beets, cheese, chicken, mussels, olive, orange, lime, radish, parsley, potatoes, thyme, tomatoes, and seafood. Micro Fennel will keep 5-7 days when stored unwashed, in a sealed container, in the refrigerator and added only at the very final stage of finishing a dish.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Micro Fennel was exclusively available to high-end restaurant chefs when they first started appearing in California in the 1980s-1990s. As microgreens have become increasingly popular, they have developed a culinary trend focused on sourcing organic and locally grown foods from reputable distributors. Microgreens, such as Micro Fennel, are sometimes referred to as vegetable confetti and are ideal for placing in small piles on top of dishes such as seafood to add a hint of flavor, a fine texture, and a pleasing, fresh appearance.
Geography/History
Fennel is native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean region, where it has been used for centuries as a vegetable and as a spice. Micro Fennel has grown in popularity since its debut on the food scene, along with other microgreens, in the 1980s-1990s in the United States. Today Micro Fennel can be found through select distributors and specialty grocers in North America, Asia, Europe, and Australia.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
Vi At La Jolla Village | San Diego CA | 858-646-7700 |
Fairmont Grand Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-314-1975 |
The Corner Drafthouse | San Diego CA | 619-255-2631 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Micro Fennel. One is easiest, three is harder.
Clean Eating Kitchen | Micro Chopped Salad | |
Lara Ferroni | Fennel Blossom Soup | |
Salt and Wind | Fennel Puff Pastry Bites with Mascarpone |