Definition

Noun 1. A variety of fennel (Foeniculum vulgare var. azoricum) cultivated primarily for its edible, aromatic, and bulbous stem base. This base is crisp and has a mild anise or licorice flavor. It is eaten cooked or raw, commonly in salads. The plant's feathery leaves (fronds) are also edible and used as an herb.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The recipe calls for one thinly sliced Florence fennel bulb.
  • I added some chopped Florence fennel to the salad for a fresh, crisp texture.
  • You can braise Florence fennel with a little butter and white wine.

Advanced Usage

• "Florence fennel" vs. "fennel": In culinary contexts, "fennel" can be ambiguous, as it may refer to the herb (the seeds and fronds of the common fennel plant) or the vegetable (the bulb). Using the full term "Florence fennel" specifies the cultivated variety grown for its bulbous stem.
  • For this dish, you need the bulb of Florence fennel, not just fennel seeds.

Variants and Related Words

• Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare): The species name. "Florence fennel" is a cultivar of this species.
• Finocchio: An Italian name for Florence fennel, commonly used in English, especially in culinary contexts.
  • The market had fresh finocchio from the local farm.

Synonyms

• Finocchio (n): The Italian term, often used interchangeably in English.
• Bulb fennel (n): A descriptive synonym highlighting the edible part.
• Sweet fennel (n): Sometimes used to distinguish it from the more bitter common fennel herb.

Related Phrases

• Fennel bulb: While not a phrasal verb, this is a common culinary phrase referring specifically to the edible part of the Florence fennel plant.
  • Slice the fennel bulb lengthwise before roasting.

Noun

1. aromatic bulbous stem base eaten cooked or raw in salads
2. grown especially for its edible aromatic bulbous stem base