Star Anise Whole Organic

$6.00

SINGLE INGREDIENT | ORGANIC | NON-GMO | WHOLE

Many perfect points, one unforgettable aroma. Star anise turns a plain pot of liquid into something that smells like it's been cooking all day. Sweet, warm, and gently licorice, it's the depth charge your broths and braises have been missing, and whole stars hold their punch far longer than the ground stuff.

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What We tell customers about Whole Star Anise

All it takes is one star and your broth will smell like it simmered all day. Star anise turns a pot of liquid into something that smells like it's been cooking for hours.

It's the dried fruit of an evergreen tree from southern China and Vietnam, and the whole stars hold their oils far longer than ground anise, releasing flavor slowly as they simmer.

The taste is sweet and licorice-like without being candy-sweet, perfect for broths, braises, mulled drinks, and poached fruit. One or two stars flavor a whole pot, which makes this one of the most economical spices you can keep.

  • What to use it on

    Drop one or two stars into a pot of beef or chicken broth and let them simmer for about 30 minutes for instant depth.

    Add a star to mulled cider or wine alongside a cinnamon stick while it warms.

    Use it in braised pork or short ribs, where the sweet warmth of anise balances the richness of the meat.

    Simmer it in simple syrup for cocktails, mocktails, or homemade chai concentrate, or stir one whole star into homemade applesauce while it cooks.

  • How the pros use it

    One whole star anise is usually enough for an entire pot of soup, broth, or braise. Remove it once the liquid reaches the flavor you like, since leaving it in too long can become overpowering.

  • What to pair it with

    Whole Cloves Organic

    Together they create the warm aromatic profile found in poached fruit, mulled drinks, holiday baking, and slow-simmered dishes.

    Vietnamese Cinnamon Sticks Organic

    Together they form the classic aromatic base for pho, mulled cider, homemade syrups, and traditional braises.

Put Whole Star Anise To Work

Rose, Anise Poached Pears

Serves 4

If you're cooking with star anise for the first time, these poached pears are a simple introduction to its warm, aromatic flavor.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 bottle muscat wine
  • 2 12-ounce bottles ginger beer
  • 3 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp rosewater
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 5 black peppercorns
  • 3 whole star anise
  • 1 Ceylon cinnamon stick
  • 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
  • Kosher salt
  • 4 firm Bartlett or Bosc pears, peeled

Instructions

  1. Place the wine, ginger beer, lemon juice, rosewater, and 1 cup water in a medium pot.
  2. Add the ginger, peppercorns, star anise, cinnamon stick, vanilla, and a pinch of salt.
  3. Add the pears, cover with parchment, and poach just below a simmer until tender.
  4. Remove the pears and reduce the poaching liquid by half.
  5. Remove the spices and serve the pears warm with the reduced syrup.

Download the printable recipe card (PDF)