Licorice-flavored spice

ANISESEED

This small seed comes from a plant in the parsley family and is often used to flavor baked goods or liqueurs like ouzo. Its distinct aroma is sometimes compared to fennel.

"Licorice-flavored spice" points to anise seed because anise is the plant whose seeds have a strong, sweet licorice-like taste. The answer is written as one word, ANISESEED, combining "anise" (the spice) and "seed" (the part used). Some crosswords merge terms like this for compactness, but the meaning stays straightforward—it’s simply the seed of the anise plant.