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Star Anise
Star anise is a rust-colored fruit of a small to medium evergreen tree (Illicium verum) of the magnolia family. Mostly cultivated inChina and Japan, these oriental trees attain a maximum height of around 26 feet and bear lanceolate leaves and axillary yellow-colored blooms. Fruits, i.e., the main spice star anise as the name suggests resembles a star and has five to ten pointed segments or sections, which are actually the seed pods. Each of the pod contains a single seed, which is mahogany colored and small, almost about the size of a pea. The stars are sold as whole, or ground to a red-brown powder for culinary, medicinal and other uses.
Botanical Classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
- (unranked): Angiosperms
- Order: Austrobaileyales
- Family: Schisandraceae
- Genus: Illicium
- Species: I. verum
- Binomial name: Illicium verum
- Other names: Anise Stars, Badain, Badiana, Chinese Anise, Bunga Lawang, etc.
Culinary Uses Of Star Anise
Due to the presence of essential oils in the walls of the star anise, it has a very pungent liquorice like flavor. This flavor is utilized by the Chinese in preparing soups, stews, stocks and a wide variety of meat and poultry dishes. The spice is also found as an essential ingredient in many traditional Malay and Vietnamese food, where it is mainly used in cooking braised pork and the much-popular Vietnamese beef noodle "pho". In the West, star anise is often used as an economical alternative to anise, which is an unrelated plant having the same characteristic flavor and aroma of the spice. It is commercially used in preparing food items like fruit compotes, confectioneries and jams, and is also extensively used in the production of anise-flavoured liqueurs.
Other Uses Of Star Anise
 The fatty oil extracted from star-anise finds special application in the production of soaps, moisturizers, massage oils, air fresheners, mouth fresheners and perfumes. In some countries, this oil is also used as an edible oil for cooking.- When applied topically, star anise oil having anti fungal and antibacterial properties helps manage various skin disorders and diseases.
- The fruit helps in settling upset stomachs, and also aids in digestion. Anise star is also recommended as a folk remedy for preventing colic in babies.
- Star-anise also acts as an expectorant and is hence found as a common flavoring agent in medicinal teas and cough mixtures. Concoctions made out of the fruit are also used in curing headaches and recommended by herbalists for promoting sexual health and stamina.
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