star anise
"Star anise" is a star-shaped spice known for its sweet, licorice-like flavor, widely used in cooking and traditional medicine.
🇺🇸 US Voice:
🇬🇧 UK Voice:
Definition
B2Culinary
(common, cooking)A star-shaped spice with a sweet, licorice-like flavor, derived from the fruit of the Illicium verum tree.
Example
- Star anise is a key ingredient in many Chinese and Vietnamese dishes.
- The unique flavor of star anise enhances the taste of broths and stews.
C1Botany
(technical)The dried fruit of the Illicium verum tree, native to China and Vietnam, known for its aromatic properties.
Example
- Illicium verum, commonly known as star anise, produces star-shaped fruits used in various culinary and medicinal applications.
C1Pharmaceutical
(technical)A source of shikimic acid, used in the production of antiviral medications like Tamiflu.
Example
- Star anise is commercially important for its role in the synthesis of antiviral drugs.
Similar
Terms that have similar or relatively close meanings to "star anise":