Star anise facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Star anise |
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| Star anise fruits (Illicium verum) | |
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Schisandraceae
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Illicium
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| Illicium verum |
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Star anise (Illicium verum) is a special plant that gives us a spice. It tastes a bit like anise, which is another spice. The fruits of the star anise plant look like stars! Farmers pick these star-shaped fruits before they are fully ripe.
There is a plant that looks very similar called Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum). This plant is not safe to eat because it is very poisonous. In Japan, people sometimes burn it as incense to make a nice smell.
Contents
What is Star Anise Used For?
Cooking and Flavor
Star anise is a popular spice, especially in Asian cooking. It adds a unique, sweet, and strong flavor to many dishes. You might find it in soups, stews, and even some drinks.
Traditional Medicine
For a long time, people have used star anise in traditional medicine. It has been used to make a tea. Sometimes, people would chew the seeds after meals. This was thought to help with digestion.
Where Does Star Anise Grow?
Star anise plants are mostly grown in four areas in China. Farmers usually harvest the fruits between March and May. You can also find this plant growing in the southern part of New South Wales in Australia.
Images for kids
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The back side of a star anise fruit.
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An old drawing of star anise from a book published in 1833.
See Also
- In Spanish: Anís estrellado chino para niños
