Description
Star Anise is the fruit of a tree in the Magnolia family which is native to southern China and Vietnam. Its aroma is much like fennel and anise and its taste is pungent and sweet with hints of licorice.
Whole star anise is preferred when using for presentation purposes. Otherwise, broken or ground star anise provides the same pungent, licorice-forward flavour. Star anise is often used in fruit dishes and can also be used in poaching liquid for chicken and goes well with fish, seafood, and root vegetables.
In cooking, star anise can be used whole or as a powder. It’s often utilized in classical Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines, especially as a flavour enhancer in broths, soups and curries
