Saunf , pinepinella anisum is native to Mediterranean region, but is now cultivated in northen and eastern india, perhaps since muslim times. The slender green aromatic seeds are often served after meal as a mouth freshener and digestive and are a component of panchphoron , the five spice mixture of Bengal. the French traveller francois bernier ( C.AD 1665 ) mentions carrying sweet biscuits flavoured with aniseed during his travel in India.