Star Anice

Star Anice

Botanical name:  Illicium verum Hook.
Family name: Magnoliaceae.

The Latin name for the Star anise plant is Illicium verum. Star anise, which is also referred to as Chinese Star anise, is a member of the magnolia family. Mature Star anise trees can grow up to 26 feet tall. Evergreen  Star anise trees can be found growing in parts of China, India, Japan and the Philippines

The fruit of the  Star anise tree looks an eight to twelve pointed star . Star anise can either be used whole, and removed prior to serving the dish, or finely ground, and added with any other herbs and spices called for in a recipe. Purchase Star anise, either finely ground, or in its whole form from the grocery store. Whole star Star anise seed pods, which are up to 1 1/4 inches across, can be ground in a coffee grinder , or by using a mortar and pestle.

Star anise bears a strong family resemblance to the members of the carrot family, that includes dill, fennel, coriander , cumin and caraway. Many of these relatives have been described as having a licorice flavour , to some extent, but Star anise is the true taste of licorice - its oils are distilled into the flavouring for licorice candy (not from the herb licorice, which has a different taste). Star anise is native to the eastern Mediterranean region, the Levant, and Egypt. The early Arabic name was anysum from which was derived the Greek anison and the Latin anisun. It is one of the oldest known spice plants used both for culinary and medicinal purposes since ancient times. There is evidence that Star anise was used in Egypt as early as 1500 B.C. To aid digestion the Romans enjoyed Star anise spiced cakes after heavy meals and it was spread throughout Europe by Roman legions. In the Bible there is mention of paying tithe with Star anise in the book of Matthew. In 1305, Star anise was listed by King Edward I  as a taxable drug and merchants bringing it into London paid a toll to help raise moneys to maintain and repair London bridge. Of the any of the qualities attributed to Star anise we like what one writer warned:“it stirreth up bodily lust”.

Star anise is used in the East as Star aniseed is in the West. Apart from its use in sweetmeats and confectionery, where sweeteners must be added, it contributes to meat and poultry dishes, combining especially well with pork and duck. In Chinese red cooking, where the ingredients are simmered for a lengthy period in dark soy sauce, Star anise is nearly always added to beef and chicken dishes. Chinese stocks and soups very often contain the spice.. It flavours marbled eggs, a decorative Chinese hors d’oeuvre or snack.

1. Mandarins with jaded palates chew the whole dried fruit habitually as a post-prandial digestant and breath sweetener an oriental comfit. In the West, Star anise is added in fruit compotes and jams, and in the manufacture of Star anise-flavoured liqueurs, the best known being Star anisette. It is an ingredient of the mixture known as “Chinese Five Spices”.

2. One of the most important Star anise seed benefits is that, it can alleviate gastrointestinal problems by improving digestion.

3. In India, star anise are chewed after meal to ensure proper digestion of food, besides using in the preparation of many dishes. You can get relief from any kind of gastrointestinal or digestive problems like, indigestion, bloating and gas by using Star anise seed.

4. It is also used as a home remedy for treating colic in infants.

5. Star anise are known to posses expectorant properties, for which they can facilitate the expulsion of phlegm from the respiratory tract to relieve cough and congestion. They contain phytoestrogen and can prove very effective in menstrual problems and increasing breast milk.

6. Apart from these, Star anise are known to improve memory, stimulate the pancreas, provide relief in irritable bowel syndrome and headaches, and increase libido. More on Star anise seed for babies.

7. Star anise has carminative, stomachic, stimulant and diuretic properties. In the East it is used to combat colic and rheumatism. It is a common flavouring for medicinal teas, cough mixtures and pastilles.