gxi, China
Star Anise
Star Anise: Star Anise is the fruit of an evergreen tree originally from southern China. It has a mild licorice or anise-like flavor, hence the name. Star anise is not related to anise, but the same compound, anethol, gives both their characteristic flavor. Anise, or aniseed as it's also known, is the tiny seed of an annual plant originating in the Mediterranean and Southwest Asia. By contrast the star anise fruit is an eight pointed star that i