497312 Sun Mar 09 09:46:17 -0700 2008 8 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 3474929 I'm in the middle of an Indian food obsession. Last night at upon leaving the restaurant, by the hostess stand, there was a bowl of dried spices offered up where the American after dinner mint would be. Does anyone know what this is called and what is usage is about? As people left they simply spooned a bit in their palm and chewed. A digestive? A breath freshener? Sun Mar 09 09:46:18 -0700 2008 11176 ciaogina 1 3475041 i've seen these in a candy coated form, and i assumed it was fennel. like these: http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/franticfoodie/archives/129494.asp They help settle your stomach i think. The uncoated variety could also be fennel? Sun Mar 09 10:31:26 -0700 2008 3474929 153184 im_nomad 2 3475077 fennel was part of the mix but they weren't coated or so brightly colored sugared--more dried spice Sun Mar 09 10:40:28 -0700 2008 3475041 11176 ciaogina 1 3475162 Maybe cardamom pods? Sun Mar 09 11:19:19 -0700 2008 3474929 84890 nemo 1 3475193 most likely fennel and anise seeds Sun Mar 09 11:34:29 -0700 2008 3474929 155180 magool27 1 3476883 They are called Mukhwas, or basically "mouth freshener". There are dozens of types available depending on the maker. I like Chandan brand's mukhwas -- I keep several different types at home. Mon Mar 10 00:35:29 -0700 2008 3474929 12384 boogiebaby 2 3480374 THANKS very much boogiebaby! Mon Mar 10 21:59:13 -0700 2008 3476883 11176 ciaogina 1 3479372 I'm a fan of that stuff, and I buy it here in NYC at Kalustyan's. It's relatively inexpensive.There are several varieties. I''m not sure if they do mail order (I think they might) but it might be something you can look into. Mon Mar 10 15:47:11 -0700 2008 3474929 18755 howboy 1 3484443 After a meal or whenever you need to freshed your mouth you can take any variety of mix of those seeds and it is both a breth freshener and a digestive aide. A simple one would just be saunf which is anise seeds. You will also see mixes of saunf with rock sugar or candy coated saunf. A mix from an Indian grocery will have stuff like cardamon, betel nut (suparee), anise seeds, fennel, sugar, and even little bits of silver. They will be in little travel sized containers for you to keep on your person at all times, or you can get them in little packets. Wed Mar 12 02:59:07 -0700 2008 3474929 118120 luckyfatima