How to use star anise while cooking: Video

Life without a little spice can be bland, and the same goes for our food. Depending on what's for dinner, we're tossing in a little homemade taco seasoning, a spice blend on a rack of ribs about to go on the grill or adding a dash of salt to fix bitter coffee. Spices and seasonings make our taste buds – and sometimes our bodies – dance in delight.  

Many of us have our go-to spices on hand all the time, but there’s always room for more. Spices are versatile and can add robust flavor to a dish, especially when coupled with other spices. If you’re looking to add depth to a dish, consider adding star anise. 

Watch this video to see how to make a spice bag for soups.

What is star anise and what benefits does it have? benefits

Star anise is native to China and Vietnam and is commonly used in Asian cuisine.

It also packs a punch of flavor to some dishes. The aromatic spice is typically sold cut into little stars. You can toast it, grind it or find it in powder form, but it's most often used to perfume and add flavor to food. It has a licorice-like flavor to it, but don't let that scare you. It's common – and delicious – in homemade pho, noodle soup or braised dishes. You can also sneak it into some baked goods for some extra flavor.

If you're looking for inspiration, star anise is used in:

• Vietnamese pho.
• Pork dishes.
• Biryani.
• Braised corned beef.
• Garam masala. 
• Mulled wine. 
• Homemade chili oil.

It's not just good, it can also be good for you. The spice has been used in traditional Chinese medicine tracing as far back as the Ming dynasty, which spanned from 1368 to 1644. More recent research has shown that star anise possesses antiviral, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.  

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DIY spice bag for soup

There's no prep required when cooking with star anise. Just toss it in and let it permeate your broth or braise. However, fishing the pods out can be a problem. A simple way to get the flavor without the fishing excursion is using a spice sachet.

You can find thin mesh, cheesecloth fabric bags online or make your own by cutting cheesecloth. Fill the bag or cheesecloth with the spice, then tie it off with butcher's twine or another thin strip of cheesecloth. Add it to the dish and leave it to work its flavorful magic.

Star anise is often used alongside other spices, so consider adding peppercorns, cinnamon sticks, cloves, ginger, cardamom or other hard spices to the homemade sachet.  

If you’re worried about the licorice flavor being too strong, give your dish a taste test as it steeps and remove it when the flavor is just right.