Describe Ingredients : star anise

What Is Star Anise?

Star anise grows as dark brown pods with six to eight segments each containing a seed. This spice hails from an evergreen tree plant native to southwest China² and northeast Vietnam, although it's also cultivated in Spain, France, Italy, Morocco, India and the Philippines.³ Star anise tastes sweet and spicy, but slightly more bitter than Spanish anise. Some chefs use it to provide a licorice flavor for savory dishes.⁴

Some people think that star anise and anise seed are the same. While both spices contain a substance called anethole,⁵ their similarities end there. Anise seed belongs to the Apiaceae family,⁶ while star anise comes from the Illiciaceae family.⁷ Anise seed is used more in Western dishes, particularly in Greek and French cuisines,⁸ while star anise is more common in Asian cooking.⁹

6 Health Benefits of Star Anise

If you're looking for a flavorful spice with health benefits, star anise might be a good choice. Research has revealed that star anise may:

1.Provide antioxidants for the body — According to a Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry article, star anise extract has potent antioxidant abilities against H2O2-induced cell death and DNA damage.¹⁰
2.Help reduce cancer risk — A study published in the journal Chemico-Biological Interactions revealed that animals fed star anise had inhibited cancer development.¹¹ However, more research is needed to show the full extent of this supposed benefit.
3.Exhibit antifungal and antibacterial capabilities — Results showed that star anise extracts and essential oils have antifungal abilities, especially against Candida albicans, a common yeast infection.¹²
Star anise also has antibacterial properties. Four antimicrobial compounds derived from the spice were effective against nearly 70 strains of drug-resistant bacteria.¹³
4.Target conditions like influenza and cough — Star anise can help fight influenza because of its shikimic acid content.¹⁴ A 2008 study discovered that shikimic acid, together with a plant antioxidant called quercetin, enhanced immune system function and helped protect the body against viral diseases.¹⁵ Ingesting star anise may also help relieve cough¹⁶ and sore throat.¹⁷
5.Improve digestion and dealing with digestive complaints — Star anise tea may help alleviate gas, abdominal cramps,¹⁸ indigestion, bloating and constipation.¹⁹
6.Address sleep disorders — This spice has mild sedative properties that may aid in calming nerves and ease sleep disorders.²⁰

How to Use Star Anise

Star anise is mainly used for culinary purposes, especially in Chinese, Indian, Malaysian and Singaporean cuisines.²¹ It can be added to alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.²² Star anise is a vital ingredient in Chinese five-spice powder, along with cloves, fennel seeds, Chinese cinnamon and Sichuan peppercorns.²³

This spice is also known for its medicinal uses. In traditional Chinese medicine, star anise boasts stimulant and expectorant properties, and may increase libido²⁴ and facilitate proper digestion.²⁵ Research revealed that using star anise tea can help alleviate diseaseslike colic and arthritis.²⁶

Growing Star Anise at Home

Star anise plants are usually cultivated from cuttings or seeds, and are best grown in USDA zones 7 through 10, in full sun or partial shade.²⁷ According to "Spices: Agrotechniques for Quality Produce," star anise thrives in warm, subtropical climates, and in places where temperatures don't dip below 10 degrees F.

When growing star anise at home, start by sowing seeds in pots or containers, or plant them directly outside. Adding 3 inches of compost or aged manure on the ground around the tree during spring can work as your fertilizer, although you can also apply slow release fertilizer during the same season.²⁸

The soil should be humus- and compost-rich, with a loamy²⁹ and well-drained texture, and with a neutral to acidic pH level.³⁰ Water the plant frequently to keep the soil slightly moist. While the plant is young, actively prune it so it can have the appearance of a bush, and remove dead, diseased and weak branches.

A star anise tree takes at least six years to grow from seeds, so you might have to wait for the plant to fully mature. Once the tree is ready, harvest star anise while they're still green, and then sun-dry them until their color changes to a reddish-brown hue. The seeds can be removed from the pods after.³¹

Try These Delicious Recipes With Star Anise

You can find whole or ground star anise in Asian supermarkets or spice stores,³²although whole spices are more ideal. Grind whole star anise using a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Keep unused star anise inside an airtight container in a cool and dark place that isn't exposed to heat, moisture or sunlight, where it can keep for at least one year.³³ If you bought ground star anise powder, use it within six months, or else you'll end up with a spice that lacks flavor.³⁴

In cooking, star anise is used to enhance the flavors of duck, eggs, fish, leeks, pears, pork, poultry, pumpkin, shrimp or pastry, to name a few.³⁵ It also goes well in soups, just like this carrot soup with star anise recipe.

Source : https://www.google.com/amp/s/articles.mercola.com/herbs-spices/amp/star-anise.aspx