Star Anise

PURPOSE

WHAT IS IT?

Star anise isn’t really anise. It’s a medium-sized fruit from an evergreen tree in the magnolia family. It is milder, and a more mellow aromatic anise flavor than anise seed, which is much stronger, and more pungent. It’s popular in a lot of Asian spice blends and stocks.

EXPERIENCE

Star anise contains anethole, the essential oil that gives off that licorice,taste. The flavor is warm, floral, and slightly sweet.

CULINARY GEOGRAPHY

Native to Northeast Vietnam and Southwest China, the spice can be grown anywhere other than Japan, whose sub-species is toxic.

TRADITIONAL USES

• Chinese Five-Spice powder;
• Vietnamese Pho;
• Biryani;
• Masala chai.

A FEW IMPROVISATIONAL RIFFS:

• A fragrant in Louie’s Primo Luau Pork;
• A key to Saigon Sous Vide Chicken Breasts;
• Star Fried Rice – A fragrant, simple side with star anise, tumeric, and a touch of ginger;
• Star Anise Ice Cream;
• An ingredient in my Bagg’s Badass Bitters.

THE BACKSTORY

Star anise is an ancient spice, widely distributed as part of the global spice trade. It arrived in Europe during the 17th century. There, the oil was extracted by a steam process, and used for candies, syrups, sweet drinks, and to temper the taste of medicines.

90% of the crop today isn’t used culinarily. It’s a key ingredient in the manufacture of Tamiflu.

HEALTH WARNING

Consume only the seeds from China/Vietnam, or regions OTHER THAN Japan.

The Japanese star anise is toxic. It can be burned, for incense, but not taken internally.

AKA

• Badian
• Chinese Star Anise

Get top quality from our friends at SpiceJungle.