FIORE DI FINOCCHIO - FENNEL POLLEN (TUSCANY)

Brand: ANTICO DROGHERIA FRANCION

The Antica Drogheria Francioni is located in Ponte a Poppi in the heart of the Casentino valley of eastern Tuscany, a valley famous for being the birthplace of Michelangelo, the source of the Tevere river and still untouched by massive tourism. The pristine countryside is covered with a thick forest of pine, cypress and chestnuts, and the bottom of the valley is full of wild herbs and flowers during the sunny Spring months. Harvested carefully by hand, the flowers are placed in cloth bags to prevent moisture from collecting and creating mold. After harvesting the fennel flowers laden with pollen, they are carefully spread on wide wooden boards lined with butcher paper in a well-aerated, dry room. The boards are then laid beneath a protective net and left untouched in order to ensure that the pollen's essential oils do not dissipate and lose their powerful scent. After approximately 10 days the fennel is tested for moisture. The fennel pollen should slightly spring back when lightly pressed. At this stage it is not completely dry. The pollen is then sifted to extract little leaves and twigs, then packed in large cotton bags to ultimate the drying process. When completely dry the pollen should have a heady aroma of anise, golden-green color and crisp texture.