Finochia

The Finochia is a Plant which of late Years has been introduc’d into the Engliſh Gardens, where it is cultivated as a Salad-herb, and is by ſome People very much eſteem’d, tho’ the Generality of Engliſh Palates do not at preſent reliſh it; but ſince it is likely to become of more general Uſe, I ſhall give a ſhort Account of its Culture.

The Sweet fennel — Fœniculum dulce — comes from Syria and the Azores; this is probably the kind mentioned by French authors; it is cultivated in Italy as a salad herb, under the name of Finochia, and is sometimes grown in England; but it soon degenerates here into the common fennel, and the seed requires to be annually obtained from Italy; when blanched like celery it is very tender and crisp.

No celery with the appetizer array, finochia instead, the Greeks favor its flavor — definitely anise.