Star Anise

Star anise is the dried, star-shaped fruit of Illicium verum with hard woody carpels encasing glossy seeds. When toasted it releases a warm, licorice aroma and stands up to long simmering. It flavors broths and braises, mulled drinks, and baked goods, and is sold as whole pods or ground.

Native to southern China and northern Vietnam, it became integral to regional cooking and spread via the spice trade. Pods are picked green and sun-dried until brown and aromatic, and it anchors blends such as Chinese five-spice.