Star Anise, Illicium verum, is a woodsy, pungent spice. It is also known as Chinese anise, star anise petal, wholesale star anise and star anise bulk.

Despite being considered a spice, Star Anise is a fruit. It comes from the Chinese evergreen tree, indigenous to China and Vietnam. 

Star Anise is popular with:

• brewpubs; 
• cafés and coffee shops;
• Mexican restaurants; 
• independent spice shops;
• breweries;
• sauce manufacturers;
• distilleries; and 
• catering companies

We also have Ground Star Anise available.

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The distinctive Star Anise is woodsy, earthy, and licorice-y, with hints of sweet pepper and clove and a bittersweet finish. 

How To Use

Star Anise adds a fresh and invigorating element to hearty meats like Braised Pork Belly. It performs beautifully with beef, so enjoy the Vietnamese beef stew Bo Kho. You can also braise it with duck. It is often a secret ingredient in soup stocks, like Chinese chicken soup, oxtail soup, or the classic Vietnamese phō. Star Anise is a key ingredient inSichuan Red Chile Oil, or Hong You, used for cooking and garnishing. It is also wonderful with sweets, so steep in milk for Star Anise-flavored caramel or ice cream or use it in Velvety Quinoa Pudding. You can toast and grind it into powder for banana bread or pumpkin pie. 

Check stocks and braises as they cook; Star Anise is potent and will continue to flavor a dish as it cooks. If the cooking time is long, add Star Anise in a cheesecloth bag so it can be removed easily if you decide it’s cooked long enough. Should you only need a small amount of Star Anise, you can break off arms as necessary.

Star Anise pairs well with mint, cinnamon, ginger, soy sauce, orange, rose, chile peppers, curry powder, black pepper, tea, brown sugar, and cream.