🥃 Anis

If you have met aniseed drinks as ouzo, pastis or sambuca, anis is the plainer legal category behind them: an aniseed-flavoured spirit drink whose characteristic flavour comes exclusively from anise, star anise or fennel, or a mix of them. In the EU it is category 28 “Anis” (in Slovenian also janeževec): at least 35% ABV, and only flavouring preparations and natural flavouring substances may be used.

Anis is a narrower kind of aniseed-flavoured spirit drink (category 25). The general category needs just 15% ABV and a predominant aniseed taste, so other plants are allowed there. In anis, only three plants give the flavour: Pimpinella anisum, Illicium verum and Foeniculum vulgare. The alcohol is flavoured by maceration, by distillation with the seeds or with natural distilled extracts.

Distilled anis (category 29) is anis in which at least 20% of the alcoholic strength comes from alcohol distilled with the seeds. For geographical indications, mastic and other aromatic seeds, plants or fruit are also allowed. The minimum strength stays at 35% ABV.

The EU register eAmbrosia lists no geographical indications in category 28. Category 29 has six: Ouzo (Greece and Cyprus) and five regional Greek ouzos, including Ouzo of Plomari and Ouzo of Mitilene. Spain's Chinchón and Anís Paloma Monforte del Cid are registered in the general category 25.

Why it matters to you. The word “anis” on a label guarantees flavour only from anise, star anise or fennel and a strength of at least 35%. Pastis is another category, with liquorice extract, and sambuca is a liqueur with at least 350 g/l of sugar. WHO: there is no safe level of alcohol.