Definition

Noun 1. The star-shaped fruit or seed of the Illicium verum tree: A spice characterized by its strong anise (licorice-like) scent and flavor, used extensively in Asian cuisine and traditional medicine. 2. The small evergreen tree (Illicium verum) native to China and Vietnam: The plant that produces the star-shaped spice, also valued for its carminative (gas-relieving) properties.

Usage Examples

• As a spice in cooking:
  • The recipe calls for one whole Chinese anise pod to be added to the braising liquid.
  • The distinct flavor of the broth comes from Chinese anise and cinnamon.
• In a medicinal or therapeutic context:
  • In traditional remedies, Chinese anise is often steeped in tea to aid digestion.
  • The carminative properties of Chinese anise have been recognized for centuries.

Advanced Usage

• "Star anise": This is the most common English name for "Chinese anise." The terms are often used interchangeably, though "star anise" is more prevalent globally.
  • While both are called anise, star anise (Chinese anise) is botanically unrelated to the anise seed plant.

Variants and Related Words

• Star anise (n): The primary synonym for Chinese anise, referring to the same spice and plant.
• : The botanical Latin name for the Chinese anise tree.
• Aniseed / Anise seed (n): A different spice from the plant , which has a similar licorice flavor but is not star-shaped and is botanically distinct.

Synonyms

• Star anise
• Badian (an older name used in some contexts)
• Star anise seed (when referring specifically to the seeds within the pod)

Notes on Different Meanings

• It is crucial to distinguish Chinese anise (star anise) from aniseed. They are from completely different plant families, though they share a similar dominant flavor compound (anethole). Chinese anise has a stronger, more robust flavor.
• Warning: Chinese anise () should not be confused with the highly toxic Japanese star anise (), which is not suitable for consumption.

Noun

1. anise-scented star-shaped fruit or seed used in Asian cooking and medicine
2. small tree of China and Vietnam bearing anise-scented star-shaped fruit used in food and medicinally as a carminative