What flavor is primarily associated with both anise and licorice?

The flavor primarily associated with both anise and licorice is sweet. Anise and licorice contain compounds that give them their distinctive flavor profile, predominantly characterized by a sweet and aromatic quality. Anise, from the seeds of the Pimpinella anisum plant, has a sweet, aromatic flavor often compared to that of fennel or celery, while licorice, derived from the roots of Glycyrrhiza glabra, has a similar sweetness due to the compound glycyrrhizin, which is much sweeter than sugar.

This characteristic sweetness makes both ingredients popular in confections, beverages, and various culinary applications, where they add depth and complexity to the overall flavor of dishes. The association of these flavors with sweetness can also be observed in many culinary traditions, where both anise and licorice contribute to desserts or sweet sauces. The other flavor options like minty, spicy, and bitter do not accurately capture the primary flavor profile of these two ingredients, which distinctly lean towards sweetness.