Spices · FFET10405
Star anise
A star-shaped dried fruit with a sweet, warm aroma, used in braises, spiced simmering liquids, and five-spice powder.
Sichuan pepper, star anise, cassia, pepper, ginger and the other spices and aromatics.
Star anise, also called daliao, is the dried, eight-pointed fruit of Illicium verum, commonly used in braises, spiced simmering liquids, and five-spice powder. It is produced mainly in southern China and Vietnam; Guangxi is China's largest producing area, with production also in Wenshan, Yunnan, and Guangdong.
What
Star anise is the dried fruit of Illicium verum, also called daliao. Its eight-pointed, star-shaped fruit is used as a spice in braises and spiced simmering liquids.2
When
An old herbal text describes a fruit brought by foreign ships, called bo huixiang or bajiao huixiang, with eight lobes and one seed in each, sweeter than fennel and similar in smell. The page opened gives no year for the work, so it does not establish the earliest dated record or a place of origin.1
Where
Star anise is produced mainly in southern China and Vietnam. Guangxi is China's largest producing area, with production also in Wenshan, Yunnan, and Guangdong. Gulong town in Teng County, Wuzhou, Guangxi, is a producing locality described in a report.2,3
How
In Gulong, harvested fruit is blanched and then spread in yards to dry in the sun. In the kitchen, star anise is used in stews, red-braised dishes, spiced simmered foods, and five-spice powder, as well as Shaoxing fennel-flavored beans and noodle soups.2,3
Why
Star anise has a sweet, warm aroma, and a small amount can flavor a whole pot.2
Impact and influence
An October 2024 report says Gulong town in Teng County, Wuzhou, Guangxi, has about 180,000 mu (about 12,000 hectares) of star anise forest, produced more than 140,000 metric tons of fresh fruit in 2024, and has an industry worth more than 2 billion yuan. It also says Teng County star anise was approved as a national geographical indication certification trademark in May 2024. These are the report's statements; no official notice was available to verify the trademark.3