Star anise, also known as Chakra Phool, is a spice that comes from the dried fruit of the Illicium verum tree:
- Appearance: The fruit is star-shaped, reddish-brown, and made up of 6–8 carpels arranged in a whorl. Each carpel is boat-shaped, hard, and wrinkled, and contains a single seed. The seeds are smooth, shiny, brittle, and light brown.
- Flavor: Star anise has a licorice-like flavor and a sweet taste.
- Uses: Star anise is a key ingredient in Chinese five-spice powder and is used in many Asian countries. It’s also used in baking, beverages, cosmetics, aromatherapy, and traditional medicine.
- Origin: Star anise is native to south-western China and northern Vietnam.
- Production: The star anise tree can take six years to come into production and may continue bearing fruit for up to 100 years.
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