Less witchery, more gastronomy – I love the taste of the above three, but I can’t bear to eat fennel (seed). Often recommended as a stomach and digestive aid, it almost immediately makes me sick to my stomach. I don’t know how many times I’ve unknowingly eaten Italian sausage on pizza only to spend the rest of the evening hugging the porcelain.

Strangely, it’s just fennel. And usually just fennel seed, though, admittedly, knowing my reaction to the seed I’ve been leery of going anywhere near the bulb.

I’m not allergic to anything (food wise), and I wouldn’t really consider myself allergic to fennel, just intolerant.

The only other food I react to is almonds, which I have a very mild allergic reaction to in my throat, but from what I understand, this is most probably due to my tree (birch) pollen allergy – which almond can apparently mimic.

Just curious if any of you have a similar reaction. After my first experience, I mentioned it in passing to my mother who confided that she had the same problem. And at every mentioned of Italian sausage she makes the most disgusted face.