Yakisoba with vegetables, fried noodles served with colourful vegetables Vegetable Yakisoba Shogayaki with mirin, chicken marinated in soy sauce, served with sesame seeds and spring onions Shogayaki with Mirin Achari paneer tikka grilled paneer pieces seasoned in yoghurt marinade, served with fresh coriander and lemon Achari Paneer Tikka Yorkshire pudding with rosemary, served fresh Yorkshire Pudding with Rosemary Fish Vatapá with ginger, with coconut milk and nuts Fish Vatapá with Ginger Classic version of tulumba, soaked in syrup and served fresh Classic Tulumba Prebiotic leek and pumpkin pie, a delicious savoury pie with pumpkin and leek filling Prebiotic leek & pumpkin pie Menestra with broccoli, pasta and vegetables served in a rich sauce Menestra with broccoli and pasta Tinda sabzi, spicy tinda Indian style, served with rich spices and fresh coriander Spiced tinda masala Chocolate Sandesh, sweet Indian dessert, decorated with chocolate and pistachios Chocolate Sandesh Prebiotic leek and curd cheese fritters golden brown, served Prebiotic leek and curd cheese fritters Milanesa napolitana with ham rich cheese tomato sauce and crispy breading Milanesa napolitana with ham Manakish with leeks served with sesame seeds Manakish with leeks Chicken Kabsa, spiced rice garnished with toasted almonds Chicken kabsa Galaktoboureko with kataifi pastry, decorated with rich creamy filling and pistachios. Galaktoboureko with Kataifi Pastry Cheese Dhokla served as golden brown, cheesy pieces with fresh spices Cheese dhokla Gluten-free cannoli pastries served sprinkled with sugar Gluten-free cannoli Prawn Açorda, fresh bread pieces with prawns, garlic and parsley Prawn açorda Avial with sweet potato and coconut milk, fresh coriander Avial with sweet potato Curry dish with yellow ackee fruit and chickpeas Jamaican ackee & chickpea curry Yakisoba with vegetables, fried noodles served with colourful vegetables Vegetable Yakisoba Shogayaki with mirin, chicken marinated in soy sauce, served with sesame seeds and spring onions Shogayaki with Mirin Achari paneer tikka grilled paneer pieces seasoned in yoghurt marinade, served with fresh coriander and lemon Achari Paneer Tikka Yorkshire pudding with rosemary, served fresh Yorkshire Pudding with Rosemary Fish Vatapá with ginger, with coconut milk and nuts Fish Vatapá with Ginger Classic version of tulumba, soaked in syrup and served fresh Classic Tulumba Prebiotic leek and pumpkin pie, a delicious savoury pie with pumpkin and leek filling Prebiotic leek & pumpkin pie Menestra with broccoli, pasta and vegetables served in a rich sauce Menestra with broccoli and pasta Tinda sabzi, spicy tinda Indian style, served with rich spices and fresh coriander Spiced tinda masala Chocolate Sandesh, sweet Indian dessert, decorated with chocolate and pistachios Chocolate Sandesh Prebiotic leek and curd cheese fritters golden brown, served Prebiotic leek and curd cheese fritters Milanesa napolitana with ham rich cheese tomato sauce and crispy breading Milanesa napolitana with ham Manakish with leeks served with sesame seeds Manakish with leeks Chicken Kabsa, spiced rice garnished with toasted almonds Chicken kabsa Galaktoboureko with kataifi pastry, decorated with rich creamy filling and pistachios. Galaktoboureko with Kataifi Pastry Cheese Dhokla served as golden brown, cheesy pieces with fresh spices Cheese dhokla Gluten-free cannoli pastries served sprinkled with sugar Gluten-free cannoli Prawn Açorda, fresh bread pieces with prawns, garlic and parsley Prawn açorda Avial with sweet potato and coconut milk, fresh coriander Avial with sweet potato Curry dish with yellow ackee fruit and chickpeas Jamaican ackee & chickpea curry
Dried star anise pods on a wooden surface, in a bowl and scattered
Star Anise – Distinctive Spice in Asian and European Cuisine

Star Anise: The Fragrant Spice Star of Asian Cuisine

Ingredients Herbs and Spices

Description

Star anise is a distinctively shaped, powerfully aromatic spice dried from the fruit of the Illicium verum evergreen tree. Named for its eight-pointed, star-shaped pod which conceals shiny brown seeds within, it possesses a sweet, anise-like scent and flavour with warm, slightly spicy characteristics.

The use of star anise is predominantly widespread in Asian cuisines, notably known as a key component of Chinese five-spice powder and Vietnamese Pho soup. Additionally, it is used for flavouring sweet dishes, cakes, preserves, and hot beverages, teas, and mulled wine.

Key Properties of Star Anise

  • Antibacterial and Antiviral essential oils (e.g., anethole)
  • Digestive Aid – Antispasmodic and reduces bloating
  • Distinctive Flavour Profile – Sweet with a subtle heat
  • Versatile Use in both sweet and savoury dishes

Culinary Suggestions

  • As part of Chinese five-spice blend for meats
  • Flavouring mulled wine, punch, or chai tea
  • Spicing pumpkin or apple desserts
  • For homemade syrups and compotes

Star anise pairs particularly well with cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and cardamom. It can be used whole, but should be removed after long cooking as the flavour can become overpowering. Ground, it can be added to spice blends.

It is important to note that Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum) is toxic; therefore, only food-grade star anise originating from China or Vietnam is recommended for consumption.

Recipes with this Ingredient

Red wine plum sauce served Sauces and Gravies

Red Wine Plum Sauce
Spicy Pho served in a bowl, spicy rice noodle soup with fresh coriander and lime slices Main Courses

Spicy pho
Pho Ga served with rice noodles, fresh herbs and lime slices Soups

Pho Ga (Vietnamese chicken noodle soup)
Lemon honey cider served Drinks

Honey & lemon spiced apple warmer
A glass of Christmas mulled cider with orange slice and cinnamon stick. Drinks

Christmas mulled cider
A glass of mulled wine decorated with orange slices and cinnamon. Drinks

Classic mulled wine