There is a wide range of spices out there, each with a certain unique aspect to add to the general meal. You will find cooks boasting about a secret ingredient in their food that changes a dish’s whole dynamic. When it comes to fennel, it does do as it is described.
Fennel seed and fennel pollen are from the same plant. It is a plant, among many, that produces a spice and an herb. It is even more special because it produces two spices and a single herb. Both these spices have a similar flavor to the herb.
In our post today, we will be checking out the fennel pollen vs. fennel seed comparison. We try to understand how different they are and when it is best to use either. Let’s get to it.
Fennel Pollen
Fennel pollen is a complex spice that comes from the yellow flower of the fennel plant. You will find that most of the pollen is sourced from wild fennel, which means that it is hard to harvest and can be hard to find. As you would expect, the price will reflect that.
“Does fennel pollen taste like fennel? The pollen features a very complex flavor that has notes of saffron, citrus, as well as anise. That flavor profile is very useful in complementing a dish. It does not overpower it. “
The pollen should always be stored in a cool and dry place using a sealed container.
Fennel Seeds
Fennel seeds, on the hand, are a type of spice that is harvested from a fennel plant. They feature a powerful and sweet flavor somewhat like licorice. Traditionally, they have been used commonly in Italian cooking.
Even so, the seeds are perfect for use in any type of food. Recently, spice has been introduced to Western culture for more creative uses.
Also, read: Difference Between Fennel vs. Anise
Difference between Fennel Pollen and Fennel Seed
So, is fennel pollen the same as fennel seed? Well, fennel pollen can be described as tiny flowers of a fennel plant. The fennel seeds, on the other hand, are simply seeds of the fennel plant. That is to say that they are fertilized ovules of the plant.
The flavor of fennel pollen is intense and rich. They have a stronger flavor compared to fennel seeds. For a large part of history, fennel pollen was used specifically on the coast of Italy. Outside Tuscany and Liguria, it was not that popular. Fennel seeds, however, have been popular all over the world. It has been popular for hundreds of years.
Fennel pollen is also among the most expensive of spices mainly because of the amount of work needed to harvest. The pollen is collected from a range of flowers for you to get an amount that you can use.
The nature of gathering fennel pollen is similar to other spices such as vanilla and saffron. Fennel seeds, on the other hand, are much easier to acquire. They can therefore be found at lower prices.
Another difference is the availability. Fennel pollen is similar to gourmet spice. It is mainly found in high-end kitchens. It is a specialty ingredient that is not found in many stores. On the other hand, fennel seeds are easier to find and cooks are more familiar with them. More recipes use fennel seeds than fennel pollen.
Substitute Fennel Pollen for Fennel Seed
These two indeed have a flavor that is distinct from the fennel plant. You can use them in many similar applications. However, there is a difference in the amount of spice you can use. Fennel pollen has a higher concentration of flavor compared to fennel seed. For that reason, you will have to use less fennel pollen as compared to fennel seed.
“You can very easily overdo it with this spice. You can easily end up with something that has a very strong fennel pollen licorice flavor. “
Conclusion
As you can see, these two are somewhat similar to each other in some important aspects. At the same time, they have differences such as cost and availability. With that being said, we can agree that the spices are among the most unique in the market.
Feel free to share your observations with me in the comments section!
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