Anise Star
Star anise is the spice that looks like a tiny eight-pointed star and smells like black licorice, but warmer and deeper. It is the backbone of pho and five-spice powder.
What It Is
These are whole dried stars from the fruit of an evergreen tree native to southern China and Vietnam. Each point of the star holds a small seed, and the pod itself carries most of the flavor. That flavor is bold and sweet, closer to fennel than to candy, with a faint warmth underneath.
Star anise is not the same plant as anise seed, but they share a compound called anethole, which gives both that distinctive licorice note. It is a cornerstone of Chinese and Vietnamese cooking and shows up across South and Southeast Asian cuisines as well.
What To Do
Drop one or two whole stars into a simmering broth and pull them out before serving. That is the move for pho, braised pork, or spiced rice. The flavor is strong, so one star is usually enough for a pot of soup. It also pairs naturally with cinnamon, cloves, and ginger, which is why it lands in so many spiced drinks and stews.
For baking or spice blends, grind the pods and seeds together in a spice grinder. Store whole stars in a sealed container away from light. They hold their flavor for about a year.
