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Star anise
Star anise
It is regarded as an excellent digestive
Star anise (Illicium verum) comes from China, where the trees give off a scent that can be detected from quite a distance. It came to the West in the thirteenth century, along the caravan routes through northern Russia. It has nothing to do with the botanical family of anise, but its aroma and flavor are similar, and both star anise and the anise provide an essential oil with the same anise aroma.
The plant is also known as "badiana" and, in addition to its culinary uses, it is sometimes used as an incense. In France, at the time of Madame Pompadour, there was a drink called "Liquor Arabia", produced from seeds of star anise, which is said to have caused a state of euphoria. Today is one of the three main ingredients of Marie Brizard, along with cinnamon and lemon peel.
It is regarded as an excellent digestive.
It can be used in bread, biscuits or cakes, and can be added to stocks, broths and rice milk. In China, star anise seeds are ground and added to tea to enhance its flavor. You can also add it coffee.
Like most herbs and spices, star anise is widely available in health food stores and department stores.
Like most herbs and spices, it keeps best in glass containers, protected from light, moisture and kitchen smells.
Absinthe and controversies
Star anise is one of three basic ingredients (along with wormwood and fennel flowers) in the drink known as absinthe, which is high in alcohol content. When it has a high concentration of alkaloids known as "thujone" it is prohibited or regulated in many countries because of its hallucinatory effects.
Since it was often added to a baby's bottle, star anise was embroiled in controversy a few years ago and it was proposed to ban or regulate its sale. However, it has been used safely for centuries and is to be recommended in moderation.
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Delicooks 11.01.2013
Hola Raquel, normalmente se rompe en trozos o se deja entera. Tambien se puede infusionar. Gracias
raquel lopata 11.01.2013
Falta informacio0n.Medida, se ralla?o no ,su forma de uso dentro de un postre.El resto muy bueno Gracias
raquel lopata 11.01.2013
Falta informacio0n.Medida, se ralla?o no ,su forma de uso dentro de un postre.El resto muy bueno Gracias