In a saucepan, heat water and shortening to 120-130 F.

Sprinkle yeast on top and wait 5-10 minutes until it turns foamy.

In the large bowl of an electric mixerl, combine 3 1/2 cups of the flour with the sugar and salt and mix to combine. Add the warm water and mix until all the flour is well moistened.

Add anise, cumin, cilantro and mint.

Add another 1 cup of flour and knead for 10 minutes until dough is soft and elastic, adding up to another 3/4 cup of flour as necessary.

Turn onto a floured surface and knead in an additional 1/4 - 1/2 cup of flour until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Place in an oiled bowl. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and a kitchen towel and let rise for 1 hour, until doubled in size.

Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface. Sprinkle a little flour on top and knead for a few times.

Divide dough into 7 equal sized balls, about 1.8 oz. each.

Take one portion and roll into a rope by first squeezing the ball while pulling at both ends to get a short rope. Then turn the dough against the work surface as if you were turning a jump rope while pulling apart at each end, until you have a rope about 13-14"

Repeat with the other 6 portions of dough.

At one end squeeze all the ends together.

Starting at one end, take one rope and go over one and then under two ropes so that the rope you started with at the end is now in the middle.

Repeat at the opposite end.

Continue going back and forth from one side to the other until all the dough has been braided.

Carefully transfer to a baking sheet sprinkled with cornmeal.

Cover with a kitchen towel and leave to rise for 45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375 F.

Meanwhile, crush the coriander and peppercorns with a rolling pin. Do not use a spice grinder as you want them only coarsely crushed.

Bake for 30 minutes.

In a small bowl, combine egg white with 1 tablespoon water. Brush on top of the loaves. Top with the coriander seed and peppercorns.

Bake for an additional 15 minutes, until the loaves sound hollow, when tapped.

Cool completely before slicing