Fennel, also known as anise, tastes like licorice and is crunchy and slightly sweet. It's composed of a white bulb, which is attached to stalks. The stalks are topped with feathery green leaves near which flowers grow and produce fennel seeds. The bulb, stalk, leaves and seeds are all edible. Often featured in Italian cuisine, fennel is a versatile vegetable that can be enjoyed raw, cooked, or juiced. The texture is similar to that of celery, but fennel is much more flavorful. You can usually find it in stores from autumn to early spring. The health benefits of fennel are: Excellent source of vitamin C. High in fiber. Contains good amounts of potassium, folate, and iron. Soothes digestive issues. Helps treat anemia.