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Star anise

Star anise is an aromatic spice used whole or ground in broths, braises, spice blends, and sweets.

Star anise — illustrative ingredient image

About Star anise

Star anise is the dried, star-shaped fruit of an aromatic tree, used as a spice rather than as a leafy herb. Its hard, woody carpels are arranged around a central point and contain small seeds; the whole spice is dark reddish-brown to brown and strongly fragrant.

It is used whole or ground in broths, braises, marinades, spice blends, poaching liquids, and sweet foods. The flavour is sweet-aromatic with a pronounced anise-like character. Whole pieces are commonly removed before serving, while ground star anise remains dispersed through the dish.

Sold whole, broken, or ground, star anise changes considerably with preparation. Whole fruit retains its hard, woody structure while infusing liquid; ground spice disperses through the food and contributes its flavour throughout. Common names can overlap with regional spice terminology, and the exact preparation may contain whole, broken, or ground fruit.

Ingredient type
seasoning

Forms & related ingredients

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Where star anise appears

16 linked foods

Find foods to recognise by country and type. Recipes and products vary; these are recorded ingredient connections.

Showing 1–12 of 16

Main dishes

Snacks

Soups

Noodle dishes

Ingredient connections awaiting review · Coverage is still growing, including packaged snacks.

Name examples awaiting language review. Confirm the specific food or product.

Local names for star anise

Names and romanised forms to recognise on menus and labels.

English

Star anise

English

star anise fruit (dried)

Search alias · Not a confirmed translation

English

star anise seed (dried)

Search alias · Not a confirmed translation

Available names only. Languages may be spoken in other countries; a name alone does not identify every ingredient in a dish.

Star anise nutrition & diet

Star anise nutritional value

Product example: STAR ANISE (Morton Bassett Inc.)

Per 100 g of this specific product as recorded by USDA, per 100 g.

Calories
0kcal
Protein
0.0g
Carbs
0.0g
Fat
0.0g

A product-specific label example, not a generic average. Formulations can change; use the nutrition label on the product being eaten.

Portions & preparation

Reference culinary star anise as whole dried segments or ground spice, using the amount incorporated into the recipe rather than the weight of discarded woody pieces. Whole and ground forms distribute differently. Broths, braises, sweets, and spice blends may add substantial ingredients unrelated to the spice itself.

Compare the right form: Match references to culinary star anise from the identified plant source, specifying whole dried segments or ground spice and whether pieces are discarded.

Diet considerations

Star anise is plant-derived as a culinary spice. Plain spice is compatible with plant-based patterns, but blended products or finished dishes may contain dairy, egg, meat, or cereal ingredients. The surrounding broth, dessert, or sauce—not the small spice portion alone—determines broader dietary compatibility.

AI-authored reading notes · Awaiting editorial review. Measured values, where available, have a separate source above.

Dietary compatibility

  • Vegan
    Typically compatible
  • Vegetarian
    Typically compatible
  • Pescatarian
    Typically compatible
  • Keto
    Not established
  • Paleo
    May be compatible
  • Low-carb
    Not established
  • Halal
    Not established
  • Kosher
    Not established
What these diet assessments mean
Vegan · Typically compatible
The plain ingredient profile is plant, fungal or mineral based. Added ingredients in a prepared product need a separate check.
Vegetarian · Typically compatible
The plain ingredient profile is plant, fungal or mineral based. Added ingredients in a prepared product need a separate check.
Pescatarian · Typically compatible
The plain ingredient profile is plant, fungal or mineral based. Added ingredients in a prepared product need a separate check.
Keto · Not established
A defined serving and sourced carbohydrate data are needed before assessing this dietary pattern.
Paleo · May be compatible
May fit a paleo pattern, depending on the cut or form, processing and added ingredients.
Low-carb · Not established
A defined serving and sourced carbohydrate data are needed before assessing this dietary pattern.
Halal · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish halal status.
Kosher · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish kosher status.

For the plain ingredient · Awaiting review. Diet compatibility is not allergy suitability or halal/kosher certification. Keto and low-carb depend on the portion.

Reviewed ingredient entryIngredient reference · Preparations vary

AI-generated illustration for visual context. It does not identify a particular product or establish allergen content.

Sources & review

Nutrition reference: USDA FoodData Central branded product — STAR ANISE ↗. Values are scaled from 100 g of the recorded edible form. Individual portions have no assumed fixed weight.

Expanded overview, name examples and nutrition notes are database drafts awaiting editorial review. Numeric nutrition values, where shown, have their own source and food-form reference.

The ingredient description and dish connections come from the draft catalogue and may change after review.

Last recorded verification: .