Star Anise - The cook's shuriken

Aptly named because of its shape, star anise is the dried fruit of the Illicium Verum tree, indigenous to South Eastern China. Star anise is essentially the pod which has about eight points, each containing a seed the size of pea. The sweet flavour and the slightly pungent after taste are best expressed when both seeds and the pod are used together for cooking. It yields a punchy yet smooth flavour that works wonders if put in marination and soups along with rice or stocks.
The variety we bring is from a lot closer at home, in India where it is grown sparingly. The star anise pod is picked before ripening and then dried in the sun. The dried pods are deep brown or rust color with almost golden-reddish-brown seeds. The size of our pods is surprisingly big and the seeds shine beautifully from within the boat shaped carpels.

Give me some ideas where I can use it –

• We love using star anise infused water as a refreshing iced tea during summers.
• Star anise is extensively used as a signature flavour in Chinese cooking featuring in the five- spice mix which is used to flavour vegetables and marinate meat.
• It is used as a condiment for flavouring curries, confectionaries, spirits, and for pickling.
• The essential oil extracted from star anise is used to flavour soft drinks, bakery products and liquors as well.

Did you know?

Even though star anise and anise seed have similar taste and names, they are from different plant families and used differently.
Star anise pods are very strong in flavour, and if added too early in the cooking process, they may overpower other ingredients.

Packed and marketed by: Flavour & Hues
B-1 Ext./A-39, Mohan Cooperative Industrial Estate, Mathura Road, New Delhi - 110044