Archive for the 'Anise' Category
I never liked the taste of the black licorice. When I was growing up, as a child, I remember that the black licorice (jelly beans and taffy), were my grandfather’s favorite flavor. Even into my adulthood, I couldn’t stand the taste or the smell of the black licorice. I avoided eating anything that resembled that licorice taste.
Well, two years ago, I had an ear-nose-throat infection that I just couln’t kick. Even after three trials of antibiotics, (which I NEVER take, unless I am very very sick), my low grade fever, sore throat and ear infection, refused to leave me alone. My friend who lived out of state sent me some special anisette tea bags and recommended that drinking such tea would help to alleviate my illness. Well, I drank that anisette tea, and, combined with hot peppers (fresh from the garden), daily cleansing of my sinuses with a nettie pot and eating healthy foods, my infection finally went away after two and one-half months. I was delighted and happy to feel well again.
I recently bought some anise star pods and I drink them after they are infused in hot water. It is very soothing to my stomach and it helps me get settled for the night after a long work day. The taste is a mild licorice flavor, with a hint of fennel. The anise star pods help my sinuses stay clear and free from congestion. This disempowers my allergies and helps me breathe better at night. Thanks to anise 
star pods, I can rest better and live healthier.
Star anise pods have a great anise flavor which is very distinctive. Drinking anise tea several times each day for one week actually helped me to get rid of my nagging bronchitis that I had for nearly the whole summer. It was so soothing to my throat. Well, this herb is used to add rich flavor to culinary dishes too.
Star anise is used in Chinese cooking, where it grows and has been used for many years. Use it in stir fry recipes for a mystical, licorice-type flavor. Always cook with whole pieces of the star; be careful not to break up the star unless the recipe specifies or, when using anise in tea, it can be broken up into pieces.
It has been used in Chinese medicine for hundreds of years because it is a natural expectorant and breaks down mucous and flem very effectively. It is also used as a treatment for indigestion and flatulence.Star anise pods are sold in Asian supermarkets. Always store these pods in airtight containers, in a cool, dark area and they will stay fresh for several months at a time. Store the pods in whole pieces. Use in small quantities as too much is unsafe.
Ever since I discovered the health benefits of anise I had been confusing it with licorice. A friend of mine in Texas had introduced me to anise tea. I drank three cups of anise tea per day and ate fresh jalapeno and chile pettine peppers fresh from her garden ( with my regular food), and, in four days, my bronchitis cough, nagging sore throat and all other cold and flu symptoms disappeared. Much to my delight, I thought that licorice herb and anise were one and the same. Well, they aren’t!
Licorice has outstanding health benefits but tastes different than anise. Anise has the true taste of licorice; sweet and fragrant, and its’ oils are distilled into the flavoring used to make the popular black licorice tasting candy. Anise has been used for cooking ever since ancient times, across many cultures and civilizations. The licorice herb has a different taste and is not used to make the licorice candy.
Anise has a mild hormonal action which is why it is good for helping mothers to produce breast milk. It is also great for frigidity and improving fertility. Anise also reduces colic and flatulence. It also has other health benefits so numerous to mention in this short article. I still make anise tea out of the anise stars – it is so soothing to a raspy and irritated throat.