Description
Star anise (Illicium verum) is the spicy fruit, obtained from evergreen tree native of South-West China. It has similar flavor and taste like that of anise seed. The tree bears star-shaped fruits, which turn rust-red color when ripen and envelope inside amber-colored seeds. Both the seed as well as the husks are used as spice in cooking.
Culinary Uses
It has a pleasing aroma and sweet taste, it is used as one of the essential spices in Chinese dishes such as soups, stocks chicken marinade and sea food. It is an ingredient in “five spice powder
Health Benefits
Exotic anise spice contains some of the important plants derived chemical compounds that are known to have been anti-oxidant, disease preventing, and health promoting properties. The chief component that gives the characteristic sweet, aromatic flavor to anise is anethole, the essential volatile oil present in the seeds. Other important compounds found in these seeds include estragol, p-anisaldehyde, anise alcohol, acetophenone, pinene and limonene.
