DESCRIPTION

Product: Star Anise
Latin Name: Illicium verum
Plant Family: Illiciaceae

Other Names:  Indian Anise, Chinese Anise, Chinese Star Anise, Eight-Horned Anise, Eight Horns, Eight Horned Fennel, Badian Anise, Anis Étoilé, Anis de la Chine, Sternanis, Badayan, Anison Asteroeides, Anice Stellato, Anís Estrella, Chan Paetklip & Steranijs.

Description: The star of every show has got to be our beloved Star Anise. If this whole spice isn’t currently in your home, then you’re doing crafts, cooking, and baking all wrong! Star Anise is famous for its mild, sweet, and fragrant liquorice flavour but mostly for its stunning star-like appearance…

SUGGESTED USE

With Drink Botanicals Irelands star anise, you can garnish starters, mains, desserts and drinks with this versatile spice or crush in a pestle and mortar and add it to meat and veg prior to roasting. Did you know Star Anise is one of the key ingredients in Chinese five-spice? Add to sauces, soups, marinades, and salad dressing or use as a dry marinade for prawns, white fish, chicken, duck, beef, pork, and veg. Stir into rice recipes (especially stir fries) or use to flavour fruit salads, pickles, and chutneys.
Feeling festive? It wouldn’t be Christmas without Star Anise floating in a mug of mulled wine… Get crafty by using these tiny stars to create handmade wreaths, garlands, candles, and potpourri.

Other Information:

star anise is a popular ingredient in cocktails, particularly in Asian-inspired drinks. It is often used in combination with other spices and herbs to create complex and flavorful cocktails. The sweet and licorice-like flavor of star anise pairs well with many different spirits, such as gin, whiskey, and rum, and can add depth and complexity to cocktails.
Dried star anise is a spice made from the fruit of the Illicium verum tree, which is native to China and Vietnam. It is named after its star-shaped appearance and has a strong, sweet licorice-like flavor and aroma.

Here are some common uses for dried star anise:

1. Culinary use: Dried star anise is a common ingredient in Asian cuisine and is used to flavor dishes such as soups, stews, and braised meats. It can also be used in baking to add a warm, sweet flavor to desserts like apple pie and gingerbread.
2. Tea: Star anise is used to make a tea that is believed to have a variety of health benefits, including aiding digestion and relieving coughs.
3. Natural remedies: Star anise is used in traditional medicine for its potential health benefits, including its antiviral and antibacterial properties.

Advantages of using dried star anise include:

1. Flavor and aroma: Star anise has a distinct, sweet licorice-like flavor that can add depth and complexity to dishes.
2. Nutritional value: Star anise contains antioxidants and other nutrients that are beneficial to health.
3. Versatility: Dried star anise can be used in a variety of culinary and medicinal applications, making it a versatile ingredient to have on hand.
4. Shelf life: Dried star anise has a long shelf life when stored properly, making it a convenient ingredient to use in your cooking and natural remedies.