Star Anise (Chakraphool)
Star Anise (Chakraphool)
Short Description:
Star anise is the dried, star-shaped fruit of Illicium verum, an evergreen tree growing 8–15 m tall with 25 cm diameter. It has elliptic leaves, white to red solitary flowers, and reddish-brown star-shaped fruits with 6–8 boat-shaped carpels, each containing a smooth, shiny, brown seed.
Foreign Name:
Chinese : Ba jiao Czech : Badyan Dutch : Steranijs French : Anis de la chine German : Sternanis Indonesia : Bunga lawang Italian : Anice stellato Nepali : Star phul Russian : Badyan Spanish : Badian
Uses:
Star anise is a key flavour in Chinese savory cooking and five-spice powder, used to flavour vegetables, meat, curries, confectioneries, spirits, and pickles. It is also used in perfumery, while its essential oil flavours soft drinks, bakery items, and liquors. The fruit has anti-bacterial, carminative, diuretic, and stomachic properties, aiding in flatulence and spasms.