Spice no. 13
Star anise is the prettiest of all spices. A favorite of the food-stylists. The spice is a dried fruit with 7-8 pronged shape. Each of those petal like shapes has a smooth seed. The whole fruit is used in flavouring alcohol like mulling wine. The flavour of star anise is similar to fennel and therefore used to substitute its flavour many times.
Star anise acts as a tenderizer for meats hence used mostly in non vegetarian dishes. Star anise is rich in Shikimic acid and therefore 90% of it is used to extract it. This shikimic acid is the base ingredient for making the anti influenza drug Tamiflu.
This species of Illicium Verum is grown in North East Vietnam and South West China. It has a very limited cultivation in Arunachal pradesh. This spice is popular across the world and via spice trade has landed in use in Mumbai and Koli cuisine. Since it is used in powder form and never whole in curries it adds to the body of flavours.
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