What's this
What is star anise?
Star anise - staranise or badiam or badiane - is a spice widespread all over the world.
Star anise (Genus Illicium and specie verum ) is a medium-sized evergreen tree (up to 10 meters high), belonging to the Schisandraceae Family, originating in North Eastern Vietnam and South Western China.
Etymology
The term "Illicium" comes from the Latin "illicio", which means "attract". In Persian, the star anise is called "bādiyān", hence the French name "badiane".
The pericarp - typically star-shaped - of the pod (fruit), very similar in taste and aroma to the green anise - the common one (Apiaceae family, Genus Pimpinella and species anisum ) is used of the star anise.
Curiosity
Of the pimpinella, which we have seen to be the common anise plant, you can eat the leaves, considered an intermediate ingredient between vegetable and aromatic herb. They are mainly used to enrich salads.
With the star anise you can get an aromatic oil, used in the kitchen but also in the cosmetic industry, in perfumery, in soaps, in toothpaste, in mouthwashes etc.
About 90% of world star anise crops are used for the extraction of shikimic acid, an intermediate used in the synthesis of oseltamivir (Tamiflu - antiviral drug for the treatment and prophylaxis of influenza A and B).
Phytotherapy properties
Therapeutic properties of star anise
Star anise has properties:
- Eupeptic - stomachic: promotes good digestion and counteracts dyspepsia
- Aperitifs: promotes the onset of appetite
- Carminative: improves the expulsion of the gases contained in the digestive tract, especially in the intestine
- Antidiarrheal: reduces the symptom of diarrhea.
How is star anise used?
Star anise can be used in many ways. In addition to culinary applications, which we will see later, it is a very common ingredient for herbal teas (see "Star anise in Tisane"), in the form of decoction or infusion, whole or in powder form. The functions of these drinks are the same as indicated above.
For more information we recommend reading: "Anice Stellato in Erboristeria".
Kitchen
Star anise in the kitchen
Star anise contains anethole, the same molecule that gives dill flavor and aroma.
Recently, star anise has also come into use in western cuisine as an economic substitute for traditional anise, as well as in the production of liqueurs, in particular the very Italian "Galliano". It is part of the recipe for sambuca, pastis, pebble and various types of absinthe. At home, mistrà is produced with star anise - from the Marche and Lazio regions. This spice has the ability to improve the flavor of the meat.
Star anise is used throughout the Indian subcontinent as a spice for preparing biryani and masala chai. It is widely used in Chinese, Malay and Indonesian cuisine. It is grown for commercial use in China, India and many other Asian countries. Star anise is also a primary ingredient of "traditional five-spice powder", typical of Chinese cuisine. It is essential in the production of phở, a Vietnamese noodle soup.
Star anise is also used in the French recipe of mulled wine or vin chaud (hot wine). If left to macerate in coffee, it expands and enriches the flavor. For this use, the pods can be reused several times.
Toxicity
Toxicity of related species
The Japanese anise (Genus Illicium ma specie anisatum ), also known as shikimi - is quite similar to the starry one but highly toxic and inedible. In Japan it is often used as incense - burned slowly, without flame, to deodorize the environment.
The consumption of star anise-based tea intentionally adulterated with this species has been the cause of serious side effects, including neurological effects such as convulsions.
The toxicity of I. anisatum is caused by some powerful neurotoxins - anisatin, neoanisatin and pseudoanisatin - which act as non-competitive antagonists of GABA receptors. Moreover, anisatin is responsible for severe renal inflammation, urinary tract and digestive organs.
The anise of American swamps (Genus Illicium and parviflorum species), found south of the USA, is very similar to star anise but it too should not be used as a cooking ingredient due to its toxicity.
Description
Star anise description
Star anise produces bright green lance-shaped leaves. The flowers are white-yellowish in color and count from 15 to 20 spirally arranged petals. They also have numerous stamens and 8-12 carpels, from which the relative uniseminated follicles, organized like the tips of a star, which give rise to the fruit of the same name. Each lobe of the star contains a seed.
The star anise drug, consisting of an essential oil - with a high concentration of anethole - is contained in the follicles.
