• Star anise is a star-shaped spice commonly used in Asian cooking
• Also known as illicium verum, it is a star shaped fruit from an evergreen tree that is native to China and harvested from March to May
• It is very popular and is one of the spices in Chinese “five-spice powder” and in Pho vietnamese soup
• Similar to its cousin anise, the star anise has a strong licorice flavour and only a few are needed to spice an entire pot of soup

How do I prepare it?

• These is no preparation required for this dried spice

Where can I buy this?

• Star anise is a moderately priced spice and can be purchased in most Asian grocery stores and some Western supermarkets

Any substitutes?

• Anise seeds / oil
• Fennel seeds
• Licorice
• Chinese five-spice powder

Any benefits?

• Star anise has been used in a tea as a remedy for colic and rheumatism
• The seeds are sometimes chewed after meals to aid digestion

Any precautions?

• Chinese star anise should not be mistaken with Japanese star anise which is highly toxic and may cause severe inflammation of the kidneys, urinary tract and digestive organs
• Some parents believe star anise to be a remedy for colic is children.   However, there are studies disputing this who claim it is actually dangerous for children.

Resources:

• http://www.uni-graz.at/~katzer/engl/Illi_ver.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Star_anise