Illicium verum
Illicium verum
Illicium verum (pronunciation: /ɪˈlɪsiəm ˈvɛrəm/), commonly known as star anise, staranise, Chinese star anise or badian, is a spice that closely resembles anise in flavor, obtained from the star-shaped pericarp of the fruit of Illicium verum which is a medium-sized native evergreen tree of northeast Vietnam and southwest China. The star-shaped fruits are harvested just before ripening.
Etymology
The genus name Illicium comes from the Latin illicio meaning "entice". In context, this refers to the alluring aroma of the fruits. The species name verum translates to "true" in Latin, indicating it as the true star anise in contrast to similar species.
Usage
Illicium verum is widely used in cooking and traditional medicine. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is known for its warming properties and is often used in the treatment of rheumatism and other conditions. It is also a key ingredient in the making of Pho, a popular Vietnamese soup.
Related Terms
- Anise: A plant whose seeds have a similar flavor to star anise.
- Fennel: Another plant with a similar flavor, often used in cooking.
- Pimpinella anisum: The scientific name for anise.
- Shikimic Acid: A compound extracted from Illicium verum used in the production of Tamiflu, an antiviral medication.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Illicium verum
- Wikipedia's article - Illicium verum
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