Staranise

t is a star-shaped spice as the name indicates and it is brown in colour.

It has an average of eight points, each containing a single pea-sized seed. Both the seeds and the pod are used in cooking and contain the sweet, potent anise flavour. Star anise is sold whole and ground.

Star anise has its own significant place among the major spices.

Like any other spices, it plays an important role in the making of garam masala powder.

It is native to northeast VIETNAM and  SOUTHWEST CHINA and we are sourcing from the local market Kumily, Idukki district of Kerala.

Star anise is used in culinary applications for its distinct flavour but is also employed for its medicinal benefits.

It is used as a spice in the preparation of Biriyani and masala tea all over the Indian subcontinent. It is widely used in Chinese cuisine, and in Malay and Indonesian cuisines.. Star anise is an ingredient of the traditional five-spice powder of Chinese cooking.

The staranise pod is picked before it ripens and then dried in the sun, turning it a deep brown or rust colour. The distinctive flavour is derived from anethol, the same oil found in anise seed giving both a liquorice taste.

Because of its sweet flavour, star anise was mainly used in jams, syrups, and puddings and later substituted in commercial drinks for anise seed.

Whole and ground star anise is used differently in cooking. The whole pods are added to braised dishes, soups, and stews to infuse flavour and are removed at the end of cooking. Ground star anise powder is used similarly to other ground spices. Powdered star anise begins to lose its flavour shortly after it is ground up, so the best method is to buy whole star anise and grind it as needed. The pods and seeds can be ground together.