Star Anise - Badian

What is star anise?

Star anise is also known as Chinese star anise. The first name comes from its shape, the second from the tree that produces it, the Chinese badianier. This anise is also called Siberian anise or Chinese fennel. Let's start with a small point of vigilance. If the Chinese star anise is excellent, the Japanese star anise is toxic, its marketing is simply prohibited in France. I have selected for you a star anise from Vietnam. Beyond its incomparable aesthetic aspect, it is a spice of very beautiful quality that will delight the most demanding taste buds. The star anise is originally from China. We have Marco Polo to thank if we know this product today. However, if he brought it back first, it is the English who democratized it during the Renaissance. Thomas Cavendish brought it back to London while Morgan, Queen Elizabeth's apothecary, fell under its spell, both for its shape and its taste. He then decided to share this find with other apothecaries in Europe. He was right to do so, as it was at this time that aniseed liqueur was born. However, this spice was very expensive and not everyone could afford it. Moreover, in China, star anise was a currency to pay taxes. The value of star anise is also due to its virtues. It is used in traditional Chinese medicine. In India, it is used as incense, imagine the sweet smell of aniseed in your home.

What is the flavor of star anise?

The star anise has, as its name indicates, taste of anise, it is not a surprise. The star anise is very aromatic and fragrant, much more than the green anise that I also propose. Fresh and sweet, it leaves a slight spicy taste quite unique.

The harvest of the star anise

It is the badianier which produces the star anise. This tree flourishes in Asia where it finds the most favorable conditions. Growing star anise requires great patience, it must wait at least 6 years before it produces fruit. On the other hand, once the production is launched, it lasts for decades. The badian tree can reach 10 m high and produces yellow or pink flowers which will give the famous star anise. This initially green fruit can be formed of 5 to 11 carpels, even if it presents most of the time 8. Each carpel contains a beautiful aniseed. It is when the fruit is green that it is harvested by hand. This harvest is particularly tedious and dangerous because of the height of the badianier. This is why this task is only done by professionals. Harvested twice a year, the star anise is then dried in the sun, where it will take its final brown color.

How to use star anise?

Star anise will become the star of your kitchen. You thought you would only use it to make infusions or as a dessert? Think again! With its aniseed flavors, star anise will enhance all your dishes, you will create a surprise for your guests. In savory dishes, it brings that little extra that makes all the difference and combines perfectly with meat or fish. It also flavors all your creams, marmalades and pastries.

Our recipe ideas with star anise

The starter: pumpkin soup with star anise

The velouté is this comforting dish that we enjoy throughout the winter. The pumpkin velouté is excellent, it seduces by its sweetness. Would you like to make it even better? Add star anise to the cooking of your pumpkin and remove it at the end of cooking before mixing. A wind of freshness will blow to your table.

The dish: pork with star anise

At first glance, you might not think of combining pork and aniseed. And yet, it works perfectly. I suggest a recipe with Asian accents by marinating your pork for 2 hours with crushed star anise, soy sauce, ginger and nuoc mam. Brown your pork with butter and an onion and add sugar to caramelize it. A sweet and salty recipe that you will tell me about.

Dessert: chocolate mango tart with star anise

Here I propose to make a classic chocolate tart. To accompany it, make a mango coulis in which you will have infused star anise. This sweetness will counterbalance the bitterness of the chocolate, to discover.

The conservation of the star anise

Star anise should be stored preferably away from moisture and light.