My Favourite Spice

Until recently I would go to my local Asian store to buy Star Anise.  I love the Star shape and Colour.
 I have noticed that the Supermarkets are now selling it....

Star Anise at the moment is my favourite Spice.  Star Anise has a licorice taste, this distinctive licorice taste comes from anethol.

Star anise is the seed pod of an evergreen tree (Illicium Verum) grown in southwestern China.  It is also found in the South of NSW.

 It is predominantly used in Chinese and Vietnamese, however has been adapted to some Indian Curries (garam masala). 




Sources: http://chinesefood.about.com/od/chinesefoodglossary1/g/star_anise.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Illicium_verum