Star Anise: What is it? How to use it?
What is Star Anise?
Star anise is the seed pod from the fruit of the Illicium verum plant, an evergreen shrub native to Southwest China. The star anise pod, which is shaped like a star (hence its name), has an average of eight points, each containing a single pea-sized seed. Both the seeds and the pod are used in cooking and contain the sweet, potent anise flavor. This product is sold whole and ground.
Cooking with Star Anise
Mulled cider is a great spiced holiday cocktail to have in your back pocket. When making mulling spice (usually with cinnamon, nutmeg, star anise, ginger, and orange peel), keep this product whole and steep it in cider or wine to infuse, then remove after mulling so it does not overpower the blend. Go easy on the ratio of this spice to other spices because it is strong.
Infusing flavor into soups:
Like Vietnamese pho noodle soup or for infusing any broth with a little extra flavor. It is one of the key ingredients in Chinese five-spice as well, which you can mix into a stir-fry, use to marinate chicken, or toss with roasted nuts for a simple snack. Overall, it plays well with other warming spices like cinnamon, cloves, and allspice, so try it in places you might use those—flavoring a fall-themed coffee, making a chai blend, or mixing into Indian or other Asian dishes.
Use for aromatherapy
In addition to culinary uses, star anise oil can also be used in aromatherapy to help relieve symptoms of colds and congestion, muscular aches and pains, and digestion.
For more information, please contact us:
Viet Organic – Viettonkin Trading and Procurement Co.,Ltd
Head Office: Level 6A, Dien Bien Office Building, No. 9A Lane 9 Hoang Cau Street, O Cho Dua Ward, Dong Da District, Hanoi.
Tel: +84 34 788 6198
Web: www.vietorganic.com.vn
Email: consultant02@viettonkin.com.vn