FENNEL

The bud or "false bulb" is the edible part represented by the so-called very large, fleshy and enlarged leaf sheaths so as to form the characteristic bud at the base which is initially green in color and then turns white in the maturation phase. Normally fennel is harvested in the field by cutting the root and shortening the aerial part where the thread-like leaves are. Once they reach the factory they are processed by eliminating any damaged sheaths, washed with drinking water with the addition of ozone and selected by size: fennel, 18, 16, 14, 12, 10 pieces per case.

Plant native to the Mediterranean basin, where wild forms were already known in the Greco-Roman era; in Italy they are still found in the stony and sunny places of the south, especially along the coasts. The name foeniculum (diminutive of the Latin foenum + hay) perhaps alludes to the leaves divided into almost hair-like laciniae or to the fact that when drying the plant turns yellow and resembles hay. The Greeks called it marathon, from which the name Maratona is thought to derive, a place, perhaps invaded by wild fennel, where the battle of the same name took place in 490 BC. The varieties currently cultivated derive from decades of genetic selections which over the years have led to the increase of the size of the bud with strong shades of white. The world production record belongs to Italy, with a greater concentration in Puglia which holds the record with 5,000 hectares, followed by Campania with 2,800 hectares, Marche 2,600 hectares, Lazio and Sicily.

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Fennel is a plant rich in water, with few calories, which is suitable for use in low-calorie diets. It is also rich in fibre, mineral salts and vitamins: in particular 100g of fennel contains approximately 7% of the recommended daily amount of potassium, 5% of phosphorus and calcium and 2% of vitamin A. Fennel is particularly interesting for nutritional level, especially thanks to its high content of calcium, potassium, vitamin A and vitamin C. These micronutrients are essential for our well-being and a source of various benefits. Furthermore, fennel contains a good quantity of polyphenols and in particular quercitin, a powerful antioxidant with recognized anti-tumor properties, rosmarinic acid, capable of stimulating the enzymes involved in liver purification and apigenin, a substance with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant properties. , anti-allergic and anticancer.