Star Anise — Drama in a Pod

The most beautiful spice you'll ever cook with — eight-pointed, lacquered, and extraordinary. Deep, sweet, anise-rich flavour essential to Vietnamese pho, Chinese braised pork, and mulled wine.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION 

Star anise is probably the most beautiful spice in existence. Eight-pointed, lacquered brown, and exquisitely symmetrical — it looks like something carved by hand. And then you smell it: rich, sweet, and powerfully anise-like, but warmer and more complex than fennel, with an almost liqueur-like richness.

One or two pods is usually enough for an entire dish. It flavours Vietnamese pho broth, Chinese braised meats and red-cooked pork, five-spice powder, Indonesian rendang, mulled wine, and a surprisingly large number of French and Middle Eastern preparations. Use whole in slow-cooked dishes and remove before serving — the flavour it leaves behind is irreplaceable.

HOW TO USE

• Simmer 1–2 pods in Vietnamese pho broth for depth and fragrance.

• Add to Chinese braised pork belly and red-braised meats.

• Include in mulled wine and spiced cider.

• Use in five-spice powder blends and Asian-style marinades.

• Add to Middle Eastern lamb stews for warmth and complexity.

PAIRS WELL WITH

Fennel Seeds, Cloves, Cinnamon, Black Pepper