"DC." > wrote in message
...
> "Wazza" > wrote in message
> ...
> <snip>
> > yes, DC, fennel and aniseed are often confused, especially in Indian
> > cookboks. Fennel seed (fruit) is harvested when not quite dried, and has
a
> > green/yellow colour. Because it contains more water than other dried
> seeds,
> > it is prone to mildew, for this reason it is often sold roasted.
>
> Strange, the bag of fennel seeds i have which if i'm not mistaken came
from
> Southall isn't roasted. It looks to be (sun) dried like regular cumin
seeds.
>
> > As far as I
> > am aware, Indians do not use aniseed, it is always fennel.
> > It is possible to distinguish all these, and more, (e.g. celery seed and
> > radhuni), even from pictures in books. As far as I can remember, no-one
> has
> > it completely right, but Madhur Jaffrey comes closest, IMHO. The
problems
> > come, not from ignorance or mistranslation (mistransliteration?) but in
> > finding a suitable English word;
>
> Same goes for certain Chinese/SE Asian spices... remember San Ny?? LOL.
I've
> been told the best place to find dried San Ny in the UK is through Chinese
> herbalists if you're still interested.
>
> <snip>
> > ...especially as I have over a hundred jars to label!
>
> sometimes i find it useful to keep the original packets or containers, so
> you know where it comes from or what's its local name is.
>
> DC.
>
I had thought of going to a herbalist for the san ny, but I can't remember
where one is around here.
On the subject of original packaging, its not always helpful, the
manufactures/packagers/supplies get it wrong just as many times. I have a
packet of leaves from India that says 'Bay leaf' on it, they are clearly
cinnamom leaves. I have had similar experiences with most of the spices I've
already mentioned. Cassia especially. In Hindi it is Dal chini, meaning
'wood from China', you would think they would know?
cheers
Wazza
thanks for the help on san ny, DC; number 1 son didn't find it in China, now
he's en route for Everest base camp having narrowly missed becoming a
Bhuddist priest!