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Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) aka: Florence Fennel, Sweet Fennel, Finocchio, is a long stemmed vegetable with a bulb of leaves at its base and soft spindly leaves at its top.

Health info: Fennel is thought to reduce flatulence, colic, urinary disorders, and constipation. The Anethole compound which gives it most of its flavor is thought to alleviate inflammation and help prevent cancer.

How to choose: Look for vibrantly colored stalks and bulbs with no discolorations or signs of wilting in the leaves. As a rule of thumb the closer the stalks are together the better the fennel.

Climate and origin: It is not known exactly where fennel originated but it was well known to both the ancient Romans and Greeks as a healthy vegetable. Favoring warm temperatures fennel grows in most temperate areas. (Zones 4-10 in the U.S.)

Taste: Fennel has a highly aromatic flavor caused by the aromatic compound Anethole which gives it a taste similar to licorice or anise. Fennel has a crunchy texture when raw but softens somewhat when cooked.

Vitamins and other nutrients: Fennel is low in calories and good source of calcium, iron, potassium, and vitamin C.

Click here to compare these nutrition facts with other vegetables.

Nutrition Facts Fennel Bulb Raw Serving Size 100g Calories 31 % Daily Value* Total Fat 0.2g 0%     Saturated Fat ~g 0% Cholesterol 0mg 0% Sodium 52mg 2% Total Carbohydrate 7.29g 2%     Dietary Fiber 3.1g 12%     Sugar ~g ~ Protein 1.24g ~ Vitamin A 3% • Vitamin C 20% Calcium 5% • Iron 4% *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Vitamins   %DV Vitamin A 134IU 3%     Retinol equivalents 7μg ~     Retinol 0μg ~     Alpha-carotene ~μg ~     Beta-carotene ~μg ~     Beta-cryptoxanthin ~μg ~ Vitamin C 12mg 20% Vitamin E ~mg ~% Vitamin K ~μg ~% Vitamin B12 0μg 0% Thiamin 0.01mg 1% Riboflavin 0.032mg 2% Niacin 0.64mg 3% Pantothenic acid 0.232mg 2% Vitamin B6 0.047mg 2% Folate 27μg 7%     Folic Acid 0μg ~     Food Folate 27μg ~     Dietary Folate Equivalents 27μg ~ Choline ~mg ~ Lycopene ~μg ~ Lutein+zeazanthin ~μg ~

Minerals   %DV Calcium 49mg 5% Iron 0.73mg 4% Magnesium 17mg 4% Phosphorus 50mg 5% Sodium 52mg 2% Potassium 414mg 12% Zinc 0.2mg 1% Copper 0.066mg 3% Manganese 0.191mg 10% Selenium 0.7μg 1% Water 90.21g ~ Ash 1.05g ~ Useful Stats Percent of Daily Calorie Target (2000 calories) 1.55% Percent Water Composition 90.21% Protein to Carb Ratio (g/g) 0.17g

Miscellaneous information: The Ancient Greeks called fennel by the name Marathon, since it was found growing in one of the battlefields near Marathon. Wild forms of fennel can still be found growing in Europe today.

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