Anise seed, or Pimpinella anisum, is a powerhouse of a spice.You probably know it by its strong licorice flavor. It’s a key ingredient in liquors like ouzo and absinthe and in holiday cookies ...

There are several different varieties of anise found in herb gardens, including the much treasured star anise native to China and Vietnam, which symbolises protection, luck and intuition. But the two ...

4. It could be an immune system booster. Although the research on this aspect of anise seed is preliminary, a number of small studies have found that anise seed does seem to improve immune system ...

Star anise is a dried, eight-pointed star-shaped seed pod harvested from a tree native to China and Vietnam. The spice has a taste similar to the licorice flavor of the regular anise seed.

Also called anise seed, the spice has an intense, licorice-y flavour. An aid to digestion, it goes well with seafood and in biscotti. Reading Time: 4 minutes. Why you can trust SCMP.