Star anise is a spice originating from China and Vietnam. Today, it is used very popularly all over the world thanks to its delicious taste and high applicability in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, F&B… The demand for dried star anise is increasing while the supply is limited, so the price of dried star anise is usually relatively high and tends to increase. So, why is dried star anise so special? How to store dried star anise? Check out the article below!
Contents
What is dried star anise?
Star anise is a plant whose scientific name is Illicium verum and is only found in China and Vietnam. Currently, other countries that grow star anise are just breeding for this spice and the products are not of the same quality as those in their two native countries.
Chemical composition in star anise
According to some studies, star anise contains a lot of essential oils, accounting for about 8-9%. In addition, there are more than 20 other compounds such as terpenes, oleic acid, stearic acid, etc. However, the most special among them is the shikimic acid compound, which is the component that makes up Tamiflu – a special medicine for flu H5N1. In addition, dried star anise also contains a lot of tannins, mucus, sugar, and oil.
Dried star anise taste
Star anise has a very mild, sweet, spicy, woody aroma and is very oily. In addition, it has a characteristic aroma and hot properties similar to cinnamon, cloves, licorice,… Because of its special taste, dried star anise is used as a spice and is one of the vital ingredients that make up the famous Chinese five-spice powder.
In China, star anise is only grown in four provinces: Guangxi, Guangdong, Yunnan, and Fujian. In Vietnam, the tree is grown in Northeast provinces such as Lang Son, Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, Ha Giang, Bac Kan, Quang Ninh, etc. Nowadays, it is also grown in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Jamaica.
Dried star anise benefits
In the treatment of diseases, star anise is highly appreciated and is considered an indispensable herb in traditional medicine. The pharmacological uses of star anise include:
- Treat bad breath
- Cure bone diseases
- Treat scabies, skin fungus, eczema
- Regulate blood qi
- Eliminate stomach pain, abdominal pain
- Stimulate digestive
- Help soothe insect bites and repel insects
- Cure cough, eliminate phlegm…
In addition to being used as medicine, star anise is also used as a cooking spice thanks to its characteristic flavor. Some of the indispensable dishes with dried star anise ingredients include Vietnamese Pho, Indian Curry, and famous Chinese braised meat,…
3 notes on using dried star anise in cooking
Although star anise has many health benefits, if used incorrectly, there will be some side effects. Therefore, we need to pay attention to the following things when cooking with dried star anise.
Pay attention to the dose used
Star anise has an extremely strong flavor. If you use too much star anise for one dish, it will overwhelm the flavor of the other ingredients. Besides, the dish can also become brackish and satiated because of the oiliness and sweet taste of this spice. The advice here is that you should only use 1 to 2 pods of dried star anise for each dish because the longer it cooks, the stronger the flavor of star anise releases.
In addition to spoiling the taste of the dish if used in excess, overusing dried star anise can also cause poisoning because this plant contains the poison Cis-Athenol. Therefore, pregnant women in the first 3 months, infants, children under 3 years old, people with heat damage, and people who are sensitive to the ingredients of the drug should absolutely not use star anise too much.
Avoid sprinkling dried spices directly on hot food
When using star anise powder, do not sprinkle the spice directly from the container onto the plate or pot as the heat from the food may moisten the spice jar. For more convenient use, put a sufficient amount of seasoning in a bowl or plate.
Be careful of fake star anise or Japanese star anise
Nowadays, due to the increasing demand for dried star anise, while the supply is limited, the market has appeared fake star anise at a relatively cheaper price than the real ones. Fake star anise, also known as Japanese star anise, is a poisonous and inedible spice.
To avoid buying fake star anise, you need to learn to distinguish between fake and real. Many sellers often mix these two types of star anise together to reduce the price, thereby attracting customers. If you do not pay attention, you will easily buy inferior products that do harm to your health. Another piece of advice here is to always buy from reliable suppliers. If you buy in retail, look for that spice in big supermarkets or Asian stores. If you buy wholesale, look for a reputable star anise wholesaler in China or Vietnam for the best quality.
Useful tips to detect fake star anise from the real one
The scientific name of the Japanese star anise is Illicium anisatum. This is a shrub with an average height of 3 – 4 meters like the star anise of Vietnam or China. Japanese star anise is a highly toxic plant, so they are not used to eat, spice, or process to marinate meat and fish, nor can it be used as an oral medicine in traditional medicine like Chinese and Vietnamese star anise. Consuming Japanese star anise can cause poisoning, serious nerve damage, convulsions, shortness of breath, etc.
Contact K-Agriculture Factory – the best place to buy star anise in large quantities:
- Website: k-agriculture.com
- Mail: sales@k-agriculture.com
- Phone/Whatsapp: +84 855555 837
How to store dried star anise to keep the best flavor?
Dried star anise usually has a shelf life of 2 – 3 years. However, during use, the quality of dried spices will deteriorate more or less if not stored properly. At that time, the color, flavor, and aroma of them will not be intact and affect the dishes.
Keep it in a dry place
A humid environment is ideal for insects to grow and damage your spices, especially in countries with a tropical monsoon climate like Vietnam. Therefore, spices like dried star anise, dried cinnamon, or pepper always need to be stored in a dry, clean place and out of direct light.
Do not store dried star anise in the refrigerator
Storing dried star anise in the refrigerator can cause your condiments to lose their flavor. When taking it out for use, the steam that sticks to the wall of the jar for a long time will cause the spice to be moist and lumpy, easily mold.
Many people believe that using moldy or expired spices is normal as they just need to scrape off the moldy parts and dry the spices in the sun to use them normally later. However, this would be unscientific since it is possible that the mold cells have penetrated deep inside. So, when scraping or washing again, it will make us unable to see the mold clearly and when eaten, it will be harmful to the body.
Use a vacuum bag
To preserve dried star anise for a long time, we should keep it in a glass box, vacuum bag, or sealed bag. This not only ensures freshness but can also inhibit the growth of certain types of insects. Sometimes we can take it out to dry in the sun to avoid getting moldy. Since dried star anise will gradually lose its flavor due to the evaporation of essential oils as time goes by, it is best to buy only a small amount and use it all for 3 – 4 months.
Top 3 delicious Vietnamese recipes with dried star anise
Because of its spicy and aromatic properties, dried star anise is a seasoning that is used a lot in dishes such as pho, curry, and stew,…. This spice helps to create flavors and aromas, giving dishes a passionate and unique flavor. Here are 3 appetizing dish suggestions with dried star anise that you can refer to!
Simmered chicken noodles
On cold winter days, there’s nothing better than enjoying simmered chicken noodles to warm your stomach. This dish is attractive as the fried chicken thighs are well seasoned with five-spice powder, sesame oil, oyster sauce, salt, red onion, and garlic, so it has both an attractive aroma and eye-catching colors.
The highlight of the dish is the extremely nutritious broth, made from familiar herbs such as dried star anise, cinnamon, dried tangerine peel, and shiitake mushrooms. It is a nutritious breakfast, suitable for nourishing the whole family in the cold season.
Braised pork
Braised pork is an extremely delicious and attractive dish that is very popular in China and Vietnam. The meat after being braised becomes soft, nutritious, fragrant with star anise and cinnamon flavor, and not too sick, which is suitable to eat on cold days.
Vietnamese Pho
In Vietnam, dried star anise is an indispensable condiment in pho broth. Not only is it a valuable medicine in the treatment of diseases, but star anise also contributes to the delicate flavor of pho with its mildly spicy, sweet taste and impressive aroma.
The broth for pho is usually a clear broth that is simmered from beef bones (or pork bones), accompanied by a variety of spices including cinnamon, star anise, grilled ginger, cardamom, sage, cloves, coriander seeds, and dried onions. grill. The meat used for pho is beef or chicken.
K-Agriculture: The leading supplier of Vietnamese dried star anise
K-Agriculture Factory is the most prestigious and long-standing high-quality dried star anise export factory in Vietnam. With a history of more than 25 years of establishment and development, we confidently understand the international agricultural market in general and the Vietnamese agricultural market in particular. If you want to buy star anise in large quantities at factory prices, we are proud to be a reliable partner for your business. Being a giant in trading star anise products internationally in Vietnam – the biggest Vietnamese star anise exporter since 1996, K-agriculture is proud to bring buyers broken cinnamon with uniform quality standards and affordable prices.
K-Agriculture has supplied Vietnamese rice, cinnamon, star anise, pepper, and coffee to more than 80 countries and regions around the world. Most recently, we have exported tens of tons of Yen Bai cinnamon to Indonesia and Chile. For more information about the factory or to consult or receive a quote, contact K-Agriculture Factory via:
- Website: k-agriculture.com
- Mail: sales@k-agriculture.com
- Phone/Whatsapp: +84 855555 837
