Star anise has many names in different cuisines and flower in shape with intense aroma and flavour. Also known as Badiyan fool, Chakra phool, Chakri fool, Aniseed flower, Stone flower etc; Star Anise is must have for any Indian cooking method and is mostly used in preparing aromatic Biryani, sea food, Pulav and also main ingredients of garam masala powder, chai Masala or Chinese “5 spice” A secret ingredient, Star Anise whole spice is an exotic, fragrant spice from Vietnam and mostly known for its wonderful aroma and delicate flavour which resembles fennel and basil, popularly used in Indian dishes, specially in 5-spice blend. Almost all Chinese dishes use star anise for preparation. Generally use as whole in culinary food preparation and once prepared just before eating its removed. Star anise when cooked produces high aroma and fragrance that creates unique flavour in food. It's shaped like a star, hence the name and it's color can range from orange to red. The fruits themselves have 6-10 carpels arranged in a whorl. Each of these carpels contains a seed within. This small flower-like fruit is also a storehouse of some key ingredients, which can help combat several illnesses apart from imparting flavour to dishes.
