Description
- HARDINESS ZONE.7-9
- GROW.Moisten the mix with room-temperature water. Place two or three seeds per pot on top of the moistened potting mix, spaced evenly apart. Cover the seeds with a 1/4 to 1/2 inch of moistened seed-starting mix.Put the containers in bright, indirect light.
- WHEN TO PLANT.Late winter
- FEATURE.Illicium verum is an evergreen medium sized tree, 8-15 (-20) m tall and up to 30 cm dbh with a straight rounded trunk and green, glabrous branchlets.
- USE.Whole or ground star anise is an excellent addition to savory recipes like soups, stews, broths, and sweet recipes like pies and ice cream.
Star anise is the dried fruit of an evergreen tree with a star-shaped fruit, which is called star anise. When the fruit is ripe, the carpel opens on one side, revealing the aromatic seed. This herb has been used for thousands of years for culinary and traditional medical applications due to its flavor, which closely resembles the more expensive aniseed, as well as its rich nutrient density. The name star anise is a combination of its shape and its similarity in flavor to aniseed. Although the plants are not related, the presence of anethole in both plants provides the distinctive licorice flavor, which makes it so popular in cooking. The most notable health benefits of star anise may include its probable ability to lower the risk of cancer, promote healthy skin, support respiratory health, stimulate the immune system, optimize digestion, boost circulation, and aid sleep.