Scientific name: illicium verum-
Higher classification: Illicium
Rank: Species
Family: Schisandraceae
What is illicium verum?
This species is a small tree, 6–8 m in height, gray-brown bark, and green branch lets, glabrous; crown conical to globose. All parts of the tree have an agreeable aromatic smell. The leaves are simple, usually clustered at branch-tips. They are entire, oval, tapering toward both ends, acute apex, and cuneate base. Thick and brittle leaf-blade, dark green above, paler beneath, petiole glabrous. Pink-white flowers, solitary and axillary, stout and short pedicel. Six sepals, pink at margin, 16–20 petals, broad-elliptic, smaller than sepals, white outside, red inside, dark red at the middle of the flower. Numerous stamens, shorter than petals, elliptic anther. Eight carpels, forming a conical mass, spreading into a rosette when ripe. Fruit consists of eight follicles, spreading, woody and brown when mature, dehiscent by the ventral side. Solitary seed in each follicle, brown, glossy, and glabrous (Putiyanan et al., 2010) (Figure 3). Star anise originates from northern Vietnam and southern China’s woods, being cultivated in several regions, mainly Jamaica and some Asian tropical countries.
Star anise is the seed pod from the fruit of the Illicium verum plant. Native to Southwest China, this plant is an evergreen shrub. Star anise gets its name from its shape. These little stars often have eight points, each containing a seed. It's not just the seed that gets used as an ingredient, though. The pod and the seed are both a commodity. Star anise is grown in China, Indo-China, and Japan, and it's sometimes called Chinese star anise.
To get star anise, the pod is picked before it ripens, and then it's sun-dried until it gets to that familiar brown hue
What does illicium verum taste like?
Star anise has a licorice-like aroma and flavor, but it is also warming and earthy, so it plays well with other fall and holiday spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Its subtle sweetness works well blended into mulled wine or spiced cider, but it can also be used in savory blends like Chinese five-spice, which has Szechuan peppercorns, fennel, cinnamon, and cloves. It is pungent, so a little goes a long way—however you use it, don't let it overpower your palate.
Star anise has an aroma and flavor that is warm, sweet, and spicy. It's reminiscent of licorice, fennel seed, clove, and anise seed — which is its own separate seed we'll get to in a moment. Star anise's taste comes from anethole, which is also in anise seed. This oil creates that licorice vibe.
It also possesses some herbal qualities in its flavor and aroma. Because of the herbal, licorice-y, sweet, spicy bouquet going on with star anise, it's often partnered with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. It's also a good match for the brightness of citrus, and brings sweet warmth to savory meat dishes. It's a key ingredient in Chinese cuisine and is part of the quintet known as Chinese five-spice powder — a mixture of star anise, cinnamon, ground cloves, fennel seed, and Szechuan peppercorns.
What are the culinary uses for illicium verum?
Star anise has a very strong, distinct flavor that is warm, sweet, and spicy, similar to licorice, fennel seed, clove, and anise seed, of course. Although the flavor of star anise is generally thought of as sweet, it is commonly used in savory dishes; it pairs well with citrus, onions, poultry, beef, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger and should be used in small quantities.
Star anise is used similarly to bay leaves in Vietnamese and Chinese cuisine. When used whole, star anise pods are simmered in soups, stews, and braises. Like bay leaves, star anise is usually removed and discarded from the dish before serving. It ipairs well in savory recipes with citrus, poultry, and beef, adding a contrasting sweet licorice-like flavor to dishes.
Ground star anise is more potent and can be added in small quantities to dishes and baked goods. It’s a common spice in Indian cuisine, used in the spice blend garam masala, as well as chai tea.
What are the Health benefits of illicium verum?
Uses & Effectiveness
Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...
Cough.
Gas (flatulence).
Loss of appetite.
Menstrual disorders.
Lung swelling (inflammation).
Upset stomach.
Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of star anise for these uses.