Star anise is star-shaped seed pod with a licorice taste similar to regular anise, only stronger. It is about one inch high with eight segments and a dark brown rust color. Star anise is a key ingredient in many Chinese, Vietnamese and Indian kitchen and can replace regular anise in western recipes. Also, star anise has medicinal properties like most other spices. For example, in traditional Chinese medicine, star anise is prescribed as a digestive aid and to help cure colic in babies. Further more, in recent times, Shikimic Acid, extracted from star anise, has become one of the chief ingredients in the antiviral Tamiflu drug used to fight avian influenza.
To store star anise, keep it in a sealed container and put in a cool dark place. Properly stored, star anise will last for several months. Discard once the flavor fades.
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