Illicium verum | Family: Schisandraceae | Licorice Flavoured Spice
Star Anise
Star-Shaped Fruit Spice
Native to Mountainous Rain-Forests
Rich in Anethole
Distinctive Licorice Flavour
Star anise (Illicium verum Hook. f.) (Family: Schisandraceae) is the star-shaped fruit of the spice plant native to the mountainous rain-forests of Southern China and North Vietnam. Both the seeds and the husk are valued and used as a condiment spice. Mature star anise fruit-pods are harvested just before they ripen completely to preserve the best flavour and aroma.
Star anise features a delicately sweet taste and a pleasantly aromatic fragrance with a distinctive licorice flavour. The special aroma is due to its essential oil, primarily anethole, which constitutes 80-90% of the essential oil. Whole pods last for several months when kept in an airtight container away from strong light and humidity.
Health Benefits
- Aids digestion and relieves bloating
- Antimicrobial and antifungal properties
- Expectorant used for respiratory ailments
- Antioxidant activity from flavonoids
- Source of shikimic acid (precursor for Tamiflu)
Industrial Uses
- Flavouring in Chinese five-spice powder
- Used in liqueurs (Pernod, Ouzo, Sambuca)
- Pharmaceutical source of shikimic acid
- Essential oil in perfumery and cosmetics
- Food flavouring in bakery and confectionery
Cultivation
- Tropical evergreen tree (8-15 m tall)
- Requires well-distributed rainfall and humid climate
- Thrives in deep, fertile, well-drained soils
- Pods harvested before full ripening for best oil content
- Dried in sun to develop full flavour
Active Compounds
- Anethole - 80-90% of essential oil
- Shikimic acid - antiviral pharmaceutical precursor
- Foeniculin and methyl chavicol
- Flavonoids - quercetin, kaempferol