Anise Seeds (Yansoun)

Yansoun is the Arabic name for anise, also called aniseed: small, grey-green seeds with a sweet, liquorice-like aroma. In Lebanese homes, anise is commonly steeped in hot water to make a warm anise drink, often sweetened with a little sugar or honey. It is also a familiar spice in baking, used to flavour ka'ak, breads, biscuits and sweets, and it appears in festive preparations such as meghli alongside caraway and cinnamon. A small amount goes a long way, so it is easy to use in both drinks and baked goods. At Dekenet Al Nes, a package-free grocery store in Baaqline, in the Chouf, anise is sold loose by the kilo, so you can take just the quantity you need. Bring your own jar or bag to refill, and help cut down on plastic and single-use packaging.