Star Anise: what it is, and how to use this strange spice
You will find this spice warming up in winter cocktails, soup broths, and even meat marinades.
Most spices are bought soil, so we never see what they look like before being bottled and put on the tablets of grocery stores. Some are sold together, however, and who can have attracted your attention is star anise. This symmetry, pod star shape is beautiful, and it looks more like an autumn table decoration than something you eat. But star anise is actually a spice for its aromatic nature and curative properties. The whole thing you need to know about this anti-inflammatory spice.
What is star anise?
Surprisingly, although you will find in the alley of spices ... it's actually a fruit! Star Anise pods grow on evergreen trees in the family (magnolias illicide verum) from northern Vietnam and southwestern China. They often confuse the anise of the same name (or anise), but they do not relate.
The star anise are picked and green unrupe, before being dried and sold like the small and brown pods we all know. They are generally seen with eight points on the star, but can vary from six to 10, with a seed in each point. It is mainly used as spice, usually everything, but it can not be ingested, it must be stretched after cooking. It will inject something like that was cooking and flavoring, as well as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory.
RELATED: These are the easy, at home of recipes that help you lose weight.
What is the taste of star anise like?
Star anise has a licorice like aroma and flavor, but he warms too and earthy, he plays well with other autumn spices and holidays like cinnamon, nutmeg and pepper of Jamaica. Its subtle softness works well mixed in hot wine or spicy cider, but it can also be used in tasty mixtures like five Chinese spices, which has Szechuan pepper grains, fennel, cinnamon and cloves. It is puncturing, so a little goes a long way, but you use it, do not let it overpower your palate.
How to use star anise
In winter,hot cider is a holiday cocktail for spicy in your back pocket. At the time of rumine spices (usually cinnamon, nutmeg, star anise, ginger and orange zest), keep anise star and all stiff in the cider or the wine to infuse, then remove after reassuring he does not overpower mixing. Go Mollo on star anise report to other spices because he's strong.
It is also big for the taste infuse in soups, likeVietnamese Pho Noodle Soup Or to infuse all the broth with a little flavor. It is one of the main ingredients in five Chinese spices, as well as you can mix in a sautery, use with mariner chicken, or mix withgrilled nut for a simple snack. Overall, he plays well with other spices warming like cinnamon, clove and pepper nails of Jamaica, so try in places that you can use those-flavoring an autumn coffee on the theme, this which makes a mixture of Chai, or mix in India or other Asian dishes.
In addition to culinary uses,star anise oil Can also be used in aromatherapy to relieve cold symptoms to relieve congestion and muscle pain and pain, and digestion.
Where to buy Badiane
You can find the star anise sold in whole cloves at the store almost any grocery store orAmazon. Broken pods are too good, so if you find them, they are cheaper too.Essential oils-For aromatherapy, do not eat orally can also be purchased in health and select wellness or online stores.
