Also known as Chinese or Indian anise, anise is native to southern China and northern Vietnam.



It is now cultivated in other South Asian countries, especially in Cambodia and Laos, but also in Japan and the Philippines.



It is the fruit of an evergreen tree, up to 8 meters high, that has lived about 100 years.



The star-shaped fruit has five to ten corners (average eight), and is actually the pods that contain the seeds.



The Chinese used it for thousands of years as a culinary spice but also as a medicine.



The spice was introduced to Europe in 1578 by the English navigator Sir Thomas Cavendish. It brought asteroid anise to Europe via the Philippines, leading many Europeans to believe that the Philippines was part of its production.



The use of spices in Europe was mainly limited to desserts and liqueurs. Asteroid anise has been used in Russia since the 17th century and in Germany since the 18th century.



Asteroid anise flavor profile

The taste of star anise is widely described as having the same licorice notes found in fennel and anise with star anise being the spiciest of the three. Its spicy and sweet flavors intensify during cooking, so much so that it can leave a bitter aftertaste if used too much.



Nutritional profile

The main elements contained in 100 g of aniseed anise are



1.2 to 6 g of volatile oil consisting of 80-90% menthol, methyl chavicol or sorbitol, small amounts of ketones, anise aldehydes, and acetaldehyde acetate. 10-20% fat, sugars, starch, 6-10% minerals.



It also contains phosphorus and calcium, however, in terms of its medicinal value, perhaps its most important substance is called - simic acid, a powerful herbal substance that is the precursor of the drug called Tamiflu.



Although it does not look like or is related to an anise, it shares the same name because it has a similar smell.



However, it has a stronger, more intense, and deeper flavor. In addition, the chemical composition and application of the two plants are quite different.



While classic anise is mainly used for digestive, hormonal, and respiratory disorders, asteroid anise is traditionally used in addition to digestive diseases, in cases of flu, and viral diseases.



Both plants are used as spices, but also as medicine for millennia.





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