What is star anise?
Star anise is a star-shaped spice that comes from the fruit of the Illicium verum tree which is native to China. The dried, star-shaped pods contain seeds that have a strong anise or licorice flavor. Star anise is a key ingredient in Chinese five-spice powder and is commonly used in Asian cooking. It has been used in both savory and sweet dishes for centuries. Some key facts about star anise:
- It is not related to regular anise, which comes from the Pimpinella anisum plant.
- Star anise has a more potent, licorice-like flavor compared to regular anise.
- The whole star-shaped pods are used, both ground and whole.
- It is rich in antioxidants like linalool, vitamin C, and anethole.
- Star anise essential oil and tea are also popular for their medicinal properties.
So in summary, star anise is a star-shaped, licorice-flavored spice that comes from the fruit of a Chinese evergreen tree. It is botanically unrelated to regular anise but provides a similar flavor.
Is star anise safe to consume?
Star anise is generally recognized as safe for consumption by the FDA. The pods and ground powder are commonly used as a spice and flavoring. However, there are some cautions to keep in mind:
- Pregnant women should limit consumption to food amounts since safety during pregnancy has not been established.
- It may interfere with certain medications, including Tamoxifen which is used to treat breast cancer.
- In rare cases, it has caused allergic reactions in those sensitive to aniseed.
- Star anise essential oil is much more potent and should not be ingested.
- Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum) is toxic and should be avoided.
As long as you are consuming typical culinary amounts of Chinese star anise and are not in one of the risk groups above, it is considered safe for most people. However, larger doses used for medicinal purposes should only be taken under medical supervision.
Is star anise good for baking?
Star anise is an excellent spice to use in baking. Here are some of the reasons it works well:
- It has a strong, pure flavor that is perfect for baked goods. Just a small amount needed to impart fragrance.
- The sweet, spicy flavor pairs especially well with fruits, chocolate, coffee, nuts, and seeds.
- Whole pods can add visual interest and texture contrast in cookies, breads, and pastries.
- Ground star anise works well mixed into doughs and batters.
- It complements warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves.
- Adds rich flavor to glazes, syrups, and fruit fillings.
So if you enjoy the licorice-like flavor of star anise, it can be an excellent addition to both sweet and savory baked goods. Just start with small amounts and adjust to taste.
What kinds of baked goods use star anise?
Here are some examples of popular baked goods that star anise is well-suited for:
Pastries
- Croissants – Mixed into pastry dough or honey glaze
- Danishes – Added to fruit fillings
- Palmiers – Sprinkled between puff pastry layers
- Cinnamon rolls – In the filling and icing
- Bear claws – In the almond filling
Cookies
- Gingersnaps – Pairs well with ginger, cinnamon
- Biscotti – Adds flavor to chocolate or fruit biscotti
- Snickerdoodles – Lovely addition to the cinnamon sugar coating
- Speculoos – Classic spice cookie with star anise
- Amaretti – Subtle addition to the almond cookie
Breads
- Banana bread – Flavor the loaf or add crushed pods to topping
- Zucchini bread – Excellent addition to quickbread
- Focaccia – Mixed into olive oil drizzle or dough itself
- Challah – Subtle flavor in the eggy dough
- Pumpkin bread – Pairs well with pumpkin spices
Cakes and Cupcakes
- Spice cake – Complements cinnamon, allspice, ginger
- Gingerbread – Perfect addition to the batter and icing
- Carrot cake – Excellent pairing with carrot
- Red velvet cake – Adds flavor to cream cheese frosting
- Molten lava cakes – Used in the chocolate filling
As you can see, star anise adds wonderful flavor to a diverse array of baked goods both sweet and savory. Just use a light hand when adding it to batters and doughs. The potency varies between brands, so taste as you go until you achieve the desired intensity.
What quantity of star anise should be used in baking?
Since star anise has such a strong, dominating flavor, you generally need only a small amount when baking. Here are some guidelines for typical quantities to try:
| Baked Good | Star Anise Quantity |
|---|---|
| Cookies | 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon per 1 dozen cookies |
| Cakes or Cupcakes | 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon per single 8-10 inch cake |
| Quick Breads | 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon per standard loaf |
| Yeast Breads | 1/4 – 1 teaspoon per 2 pound loaf |
| Pastries | 1-3 whole pods layered per dozen pastries |
These quantities can be adjusted up or down depending on your personal taste preferences. Since star anise intensity can vary between brands, start on the lower end of each range. You can always add more if needed. Too much star anise can make baked goods taste unpleasantly bitter, so it’s better to err on the side of caution.
What are some substitutes for star anise?
If you don’t have star anise, there are a few spices that can mimic its unique flavor profile:
- Aniseed – This has a similar licorice flavor, though not as intense as star anise. Use about 1 1/2 times the amount of aniseed.
- Chinese five spice powder – This blend contains star anise so will provide some of its flavor. Use about double the amount.
- Fennel seed – Provides a faint anise-like essence. Use about double the fennel.
- Allspice – Not exactly the same but can fill the intensity needed. Use the same amount.
- Cinnamon – The warm sweetness has slight similarities. Use at least triple the cinnamon.
While these substitutes don’t mimic star anise exactly, they can work in a pinch. Start with small amounts and adjust until you achieve the right flavor profile. Just keep in mind the proportions may need to vary quite a bit. Omitting star anise altogether is also an option if you’ll be using strong flavors like chocolate, pumpkin spice, ginger or coffee.
What dishes pair well with star anise?
The warming licorice notes of star anise complement both sweet and savory dishes. Here are some flavor pairings that work particularly well:
| Flavor Companions | Example Dishes |
|---|---|
| Fruits like pears, apples, oranges, cherries, apricots | Fruit tarts, pies, galettes, crisps |
| Chocolate, coffee, vanilla | Hot chocolate, mochas, chocolate chip cookies |
| Warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom | Gingerbread, snickerdoodles, spice cakes |
| Nuts like walnuts, almonds, pistachios | Biscotti, macarons, almond cakes |
| Coconut, pumpkin, sweet potato | Pumpkin bread, coconut macaroons |
| Pork, duck, chicken, fish | Rubs, broths, sauces, braises |
Star anise has applications both in desserts and savory dishes thanks to its versatility. Don’t be afraid to experiment with unexpected pairings too, like combining star anise with cheeses, eggs, mushrooms or squash. Its sweet spiciness can add intrigue to many ingredients.
How should you cook with star anise?
Here are some tips for getting the most flavor out of star anise:
- Buy whole pods instead of pre-ground powder whenever possible for maximum freshness and flavor.
- Grind or crush the pods right before using to release the essential oils.
- Add whole pods early when simmering broths, sauces, oatmeal or grains to infuse flavor.
- Remove whole pods before serving dishes like soups or stews.
- Add ground star anise towards the end of cooking delicate foods to prevent bitterness.
- Pair with fat and acid like butter, cream, oil or citrus to mellow the licorice flavor.
- Blend star anise with warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and allspice.
- Start with small amounts and gradually increase – little is needed to provide big flavor.
Getting the most out of star anise comes down to maximizing its essential oils and balancing its intense flavor. With the right techniques, just a pinch can make your dishes sing.
Should you grind star anise before baking?
In most cases, it is best to grind whole star anise pods right before using them in baked goods. Here’s why grinding is preferable:
- It releases the maximum amount of fragrant, flavorful essential oils.
- The oils dissipate quickly once ground so grinding it fresh matters.
- It disperses the flavor more evenly throughout batters and doughs.
- You can better control the intensity and prevent bitterness.
- It combines more smoothly into recipes than whole pods.
- Pre-ground star anise loses potency faster.
However, you can also bake successfully with star anise using the following methods:
- Add 2-3 whole pods while cooking fillings like fruit compotes to infuse flavor.
- Place 1-2 pods directly into batters or doughs like muffins or bread.
- Layer pods between pastry to gently perfume the layers.
- Infuse milk or cream with whole pods to make creams and custards.
So grinding right before using is ideal. But the flexibility of star anise means you can bake great things with whole pods too. Just adjust the quantity and method to suit your needs.
How should you store star anise?
To retain star anise’s potency and shelf life:
- Store whole pods in an airtight container in a cool, dark place away from light and heat.
- Ground star anise should be kept in the freezer in an airtight container.
- Whole pods will keep for 2-3 years, ground about 6 months frozen.
- Smell pods periodically and if the aroma fades, replace them.
- Buy star anise from reputable brands and check the expiration date.
- Don’t store star anise next to light, heat or moisture sources like the stove.
Proper storage helps the volatile essential oils last longer. Improperly stored star anise can lose its flavor rapidly. Follow these tips to preserve your star anise and keep it fresh for all your baking projects.
Conclusion
Star anise is a powerfully flavored spice that adds welcomed intensity and interest to all kinds of baked goods. Its sweet yet spicy licorice notes pair wonderfully with fruit, chocolate, coffee, nuts, seeds, coconut and spices. From cookies to cakes to pastries, just a pinch of star anise can take your recipes up a notch. Start with modest amounts, about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon for most applications. Then grind the pods right before using for maximum flavor and dispersal throughout batters and doughs. With proper storage and handling, star anise can lend its unique flavor to all your baking for years to come.