Star anise is a pleasant spice that is widely used in cooking. A peculiar bittersweet taste gives sauces, marinades, baked goods a special piquancy.
Badian: composition and application
Asian countries are considered to be the homeland of star anise. The tree grows in southwestern China and Japan. Star anise is the fruit of a tropical tree of the anise family, which has pale yellowish or greenish flowers. In all appearance, the seed fruits look like a star, from which another name for the spice takes its roots – star anise. Each grain is located in a separate boat, the number of which ranges from 8 to 12 pieces.
The taste of the spice is bittersweet, somewhat astringent, moderately pungent. The smell during heat treatment resembles anise, but star anise exudes a more subtle and delicate aroma. The seasoning has become widespread not only in cooking, but also in the perfumery and cosmetic industry.
The fruits of oriental spice contain a fairly large amount of essential oils, due to which there is a beneficial effect on the human body. With proper use, inflammation, spasms are removed, and the work of internal organs improves.
But it should be remembered that a high content of proteins and carbohydrates can lead to excess weight.
Useful properties of star anise for the body: – perfectly treats throat diseases, as it stimulates the thinning and release of phlegm: you can add a drop of oil to any cough syrup; – increases lactation, therefore it is recommended to take tea with the addition of star anise to nursing mothers; – taking infusion for babies helps the discharge of gases and the elimination of colic; – the broth improves the digestive function; – in case of stomach diseases, it is necessary to add 1 drop of oil in 1 tsp. honey and taken orally; – normalizes the heart rate; – relieves indigestion and diarrhea; – is used as an anthelmintic; – relieves abdominal cramps; – is a prophylactic agent against influenza and viral infections due to the content of shikimic acid; – regular use relieves cholesterol plaques in the arteries; – prevents cancer, as the composition includes limonene; – chewing seeds eliminates bad breath; – increases libido, therefore it is widely used in perfume compositions and for an aromatherapy session; – relieves menstrual pain.
The special aroma and peculiar taste allows you to create unique dishes, improving the taste and giving an original combination of ingredients. As a spice, dried tree seeds are used, which are usually ground into powder. The spice is combined with various products and other spices. The most suitable combinations: with garlic, onion, vanilla, pepper, cinnamon, ginger, cloves.
The use of star anise in cooking: – star anise tea: 1 tsp is required for a quarter of boiling water. powder, after cooking add up to 1-2 tsp. in regular tea; – confectionery: add the spice 5-10 minutes before the end of the cooking process; – meat dishes: the optimal rate is grams per serving, after adding the spice, the dish should be kept to soak all the ingredients; the addition of star anise prolongs the shelf life, preserves the natural color of berries or fruits, gives aroma, improves taste; – added to puddings, mousses, pastes, due to which the aroma is emphasized, but the main smell of the dessert is not drowned out; – in Western European countries it is customary to add a small pinch spices in coffee; – French star anise-based liqueur is popular, in Russia, star anise is used to prepare various alcoholic tinctures; – in Asian countries, seeds are added to almost all meat and poultry dishes, mixing the powder with vegetable oil for frying.
This spice can become not only a way to improve the taste or a medicine, but also harm the human body. This is due to the fact that when some components are combined, a reverse reaction begins.
For example, a mixture of star anise with dill or lingonberry leaves leads to dehydration.
You should not take star anise tea if you are on a salt-free diet in order to get rid of extra pounds.
The spice is contraindicated for people with diseases of the nervous system, with increased excitability, with epilepsy, since the condition of the body can deteriorate significantly.
Badian is contraindicated during pregnancy, as it can negatively affect the intrauterine development of the fetus.
Should be discarded by those who have a tendency to allergic reactions. In such people, star anise causes the appearance of a rash, swelling, redness of the skin.
Star anise essential oil, if used improperly, causes skin burns.