Fennel is very old
Fennel is very old. It was already used during Antiquity for its thirst-quenching side and for its medicinal virtues. The Greeks made an oenol, a liquid medicine macerated in white wine and medicinal principles, which is very good for digestion. It is also an excellent diuretic and tension regulator.
By the way, do you know the head of fennel? It has a pearly bulb and lovely soft green foliage with a wispy green halo. To grow well, it needs dry, sunny weather.
The Mediterranean climate suits it so well, so it is widely consumed in Italy, more so than in France. It is most recognizable by its scent. A fresh fennel is very aromatic, it has an aniseed taste.
From fennel to running, there is only one step because the Greek name of this anise-flavored plant is a marathon μάραθος (marathos)!
The fennel field gave its name to a locality of a plain of Attica, Μαραθών in -490 the victory of Marathon over the Persians made this city famous.
A Greek soldier left from Marathon to Athens to announce the good news... and he died of exhaustion...
