Star anise
Description
Star anise is a distinctive, brown-rust colored, eight-pointed fruit with a star shape, featuring an intense, sweet anise-licorice aroma due to its main component — anethole. In cooking, it is usually used in the form of whole stars or ground; the flavor is warm, slightly spicy, and adds depth to both sweet and savory dishes. Nutritionally, star anise provides small amounts of fiber, minerals, and essential oils rich in antioxidants, which exhibit anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and digestive-supporting properties. When used in moderation, it can alleviate bloating, cough, and digestive disorders. It most commonly appears in spices for Asian dishes, broths, meat stews, teas, liqueurs, and baking. It is best to store whole stars in an airtight container in a cool, dark, and dry place; ground star anise loses its aroma much faster.
