Anise (also known as aniseed) is a herbaceous annual plant variety, which is grown in the eastern Mediterranean region and southwest Asia. Anise has a licorice flavor and it resembles to dill, fennel, coriander, cumin and caraway. Anise plant yields seed-like fruits which are used in a variety of culinary, such as seasoning in curry and hoisin, in cookies such as Italian biscotti and German springerle, in bread, and in sausage. Anise stems are are eaten as a vegetable, while oil yielded from anise plant is used in several liquers including anisette and ouzo, and in the liquor absinthe. The oil of anise is also used in toothpaste, chewing gum, cough syrups, and soap.