After Dinner

Fennel seed in India, mint in Morocco, dill in Scandinavia, coriander across the Levant - the after-dinner infusion is close to a human universal, and the plants involved are remarkably consistent. Duke classes fennel, coriander, dill and mint as carminative, the old word for a plant that settles a heavy meal.

All four are easy Farmstand crops, and all four are dramatically better fresh. Fennel fronds - the part shops throw away - make a lighter, sweeter infusion than the seed, and you can cut them minutes after clearing the table.