Star anise have a strong licorice-like fragrance with sweet notes of spice. It is one of the defining flavors in Chinese cuisine. Star anise has various uses such as removing gaminess in meats such as duck, enhance braises, and flavor desserts. Good quality star anise should have a strong aroma, mostly whole stars, and little to no chalkiness on the surface.
Uses: Star anise is a very intense in aroma and can easily become overpowering. Use only a few pieces when starting out and adjust if you need to add more. Add a few pieces into your soups or stocks to enhance the flavor of the broth.