Allspice reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
anise, star
+ Add to WorkbenchAbout this ingredient
The dried star-shaped seed pod of Illicium verum — with an intense, warm, sweet anise character from trans-anethole (the same compound as in anise seeds but mo…
66 pairings
Editorial
Flavor profile
Star anise contains 80–90% trans-anethole in its essential oil — a higher concentration than anise seeds (Pimpinella anisum) — making it a more economical and powerful source of anethole flavor. The two plants are botanically unrelated (star anise is in the Schisandraceae family) but converged on the same key flavor compound through parallel evolution. Chinese five-spice (star anise + cloves + Chinese cinnamon/cassia + Sichuan pepper + fennel) is its most important application, used in red-braised pork, Peking duck, and as a flavoring for soy-based master stocks. In Vietnamese pho broth, star anise (along with cinnamon sticks, cloves, and charred ginger and onion) provides the warm, complex depth that identifies pho from any other beef noodle soup. Star anise is also used in whole form in Indian biryani, Taiwanese braised beef, and in mulled wine (vin chaud). Ground star anise loses its intensity quickly; buy whole pods and grind as needed. Avoid Japanese star anise (I. anisatum) — it is toxic.
Pairings
Flavor relationships
Pairs well with
allspice
baked goods
beef
beverages
cardamom
chestnuts
chicken
chile peppers
chili powder
chocolate
cinnamon
citrus zest
cloves
coriander
cumin
curry powder
duck
eggs
fennel seeds
figs
fish
five-spice powder
fruits
garlic
ginger
kumquats
leeks
lemongrass
lime, zest
liqueurs
mace
mangoes
maple syrup
meats
nutmeg
orange, zest
oxtails
pears
pepper, black
pepper, szechuan
pineapple
plums
pork
poultry
pumpkin
raspberries
root vegetables
salmon
sauces
scallions
scallops
shellfish
shrimp
soups
soy sauce
stews
stocks, beef
stocks, chicken
sweet potatoes
tamarind
teas
tuna
turmeric
vanilla
vegetables
wine, rice
allspice
Allspice reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
baked goods
Baked goods give anise, star a sweet, starchy canvas where its warmth can read as comforting rather than sharp.
beef
Beef gives anise, star enough fat and savoriness to bloom into a deeper rub or braise, letting its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness season the whole dish.
beverages
Beverages pairs with anise, star by giving its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness a clearer place to land in the dish.
cardamom
Cardamom reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
chestnuts
Chestnuts pairs with anise, star by giving its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness a clearer place to land in the dish.
chicken
Chicken gives anise, star enough fat and savoriness to bloom into a deeper rub or braise, letting its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness season the whole dish.
chile peppers
Chile peppers reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
chili powder
Chili powder reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
chocolate
Chocolate gives anise, star a sweet, starchy canvas where its warmth can read as comforting rather than sharp.
cinnamon
Cinnamon reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
citrus zest
Citrus zest picks up anise, star's bold licorice spice and warming sweetness, turning natural sweetness into something warmer and more dimensional.
cloves
Cloves reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
coriander
Coriander reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
cumin
Cumin reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
curry powder
Curry powder reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
duck
Duck gives anise, star enough fat and savoriness to bloom into a deeper rub or braise, letting its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness season the whole dish.
eggs
Eggs pairs with anise, star by giving its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness a clearer place to land in the dish.
fennel seeds
Fennel seeds reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
figs
Figs picks up anise, star's bold licorice spice and warming sweetness, turning natural sweetness into something warmer and more dimensional.
fish
Fish benefits from anise, star's aromatic warmth, which adds depth without overwhelming the cleaner sweetness of the seafood.
five-spice powder
Five-spice powder reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
fruits
Fruits picks up anise, star's bold licorice spice and warming sweetness, turning natural sweetness into something warmer and more dimensional.
garlic
Garlic reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
ginger
Ginger reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
kumquats
Kumquats picks up anise, star's bold licorice spice and warming sweetness, turning natural sweetness into something warmer and more dimensional.
leeks
Leeks takes well to anise, star's warmth, gaining depth that balances vegetal sweetness and mild bitterness.
lemongrass
Lemongrass picks up anise, star's bold licorice spice and warming sweetness, turning natural sweetness into something warmer and more dimensional.
lime, zest
Lime zest picks up anise, star's bold licorice spice and warming sweetness, turning natural sweetness into something warmer and more dimensional.
liqueurs
Liqueurs extracts and carries anise, star's aroma, adding warmth and lift to drinks, sauces, or desserts.
mace
Mace reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
mangoes
Mangoes picks up anise, star's bold licorice spice and warming sweetness, turning natural sweetness into something warmer and more dimensional.
maple syrup
Maple syrup gives anise, star a sweet, starchy canvas where its warmth can read as comforting rather than sharp.
meats
Meats gives anise, star enough fat and savoriness to bloom into a deeper rub or braise, letting its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness season the whole dish.
nutmeg
Nutmeg pairs with anise, star by giving its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness a clearer place to land in the dish.
orange, zest
Orange zest picks up anise, star's bold licorice spice and warming sweetness, turning natural sweetness into something warmer and more dimensional.
oxtails
Oxtails gives anise, star enough fat and savoriness to bloom into a deeper rub or braise, letting its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness season the whole dish.
pears
Pears picks up anise, star's bold licorice spice and warming sweetness, turning natural sweetness into something warmer and more dimensional.
pepper, black
Black pepper reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
pepper, szechuan
Pepper, szechuan reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
pineapple
Pineapple picks up anise, star's bold licorice spice and warming sweetness, turning natural sweetness into something warmer and more dimensional.
plums
Plums picks up anise, star's bold licorice spice and warming sweetness, turning natural sweetness into something warmer and more dimensional.
pork
Pork gives anise, star enough fat and savoriness to bloom into a deeper rub or braise, letting its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness season the whole dish.
poultry
Poultry gives anise, star enough fat and savoriness to bloom into a deeper rub or braise, letting its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness season the whole dish.
pumpkin
Pumpkin takes well to anise, star's warmth, gaining depth that balances vegetal sweetness and mild bitterness.
raspberries
Raspberries picks up anise, star's bold licorice spice and warming sweetness, turning natural sweetness into something warmer and more dimensional.
root vegetables
Root vegetables takes well to anise, star's warmth, gaining depth that balances vegetal sweetness and mild bitterness.
salmon
Salmon benefits from anise, star's aromatic warmth, which adds depth without overwhelming the cleaner sweetness of the seafood.
sauces
Sauces pairs with anise, star by giving its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness a clearer place to land in the dish.
scallions
Scallions pairs with anise, star by giving its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness a clearer place to land in the dish.
scallops
Scallops benefits from anise, star's aromatic warmth, which adds depth without overwhelming the cleaner sweetness of the seafood.
shellfish
Shellfish benefits from anise, star's aromatic warmth, which adds depth without overwhelming the cleaner sweetness of the seafood.
shrimp
Shrimp benefits from anise, star's aromatic warmth, which adds depth without overwhelming the cleaner sweetness of the seafood.
soups
Soups pairs with anise, star by giving its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness a clearer place to land in the dish.
soy sauce
Soy sauce pairs with anise, star by giving its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness a clearer place to land in the dish.
stews
Stews pairs with anise, star by giving its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness a clearer place to land in the dish.
stocks, beef
Stocks, beef gives anise, star enough fat and savoriness to bloom into a deeper rub or braise, letting its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness season the whole dish.
stocks, chicken
Stocks, chicken gives anise, star enough fat and savoriness to bloom into a deeper rub or braise, letting its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness season the whole dish.
sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes takes well to anise, star's warmth, gaining depth that balances vegetal sweetness and mild bitterness.
tamarind
Tamarind pairs with anise, star by giving its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness a clearer place to land in the dish.
teas
Teas pairs with anise, star by giving its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness a clearer place to land in the dish.
tuna
Tuna benefits from anise, star's aromatic warmth, which adds depth without overwhelming the cleaner sweetness of the seafood.
turmeric
Turmeric reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
vanilla
Vanilla reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
vegetables
Vegetables takes well to anise, star's warmth, gaining depth that balances vegetal sweetness and mild bitterness.
wine, rice
Rice wine gives anise, star a sweet, starchy canvas where its warmth can read as comforting rather than sharp.
baked goods
Baked goods give anise, star a sweet, starchy canvas where its warmth can read as comforting rather than sharp.
Beef gives anise, star enough fat and savoriness to bloom into a deeper rub or braise, letting its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness season the whole dish.
beverages
Beverages pairs with anise, star by giving its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness a clearer place to land in the dish.
Cardamom reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
Chestnuts pairs with anise, star by giving its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness a clearer place to land in the dish.
Chicken gives anise, star enough fat and savoriness to bloom into a deeper rub or braise, letting its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness season the whole dish.
Chile peppers reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
Chili powder reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
chocolate
Chocolate gives anise, star a sweet, starchy canvas where its warmth can read as comforting rather than sharp.
Cinnamon reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
citrus zest
Citrus zest picks up anise, star's bold licorice spice and warming sweetness, turning natural sweetness into something warmer and more dimensional.
Cloves reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
Coriander reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
Cumin reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
curry powder
Curry powder reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
Duck gives anise, star enough fat and savoriness to bloom into a deeper rub or braise, letting its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness season the whole dish.
Eggs pairs with anise, star by giving its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness a clearer place to land in the dish.
Fennel seeds reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
figs
Figs picks up anise, star's bold licorice spice and warming sweetness, turning natural sweetness into something warmer and more dimensional.
Fish benefits from anise, star's aromatic warmth, which adds depth without overwhelming the cleaner sweetness of the seafood.
Five-spice powder reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
fruits
Fruits picks up anise, star's bold licorice spice and warming sweetness, turning natural sweetness into something warmer and more dimensional.
Garlic reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
Ginger reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
Kumquats picks up anise, star's bold licorice spice and warming sweetness, turning natural sweetness into something warmer and more dimensional.
Leeks takes well to anise, star's warmth, gaining depth that balances vegetal sweetness and mild bitterness.
Lemongrass picks up anise, star's bold licorice spice and warming sweetness, turning natural sweetness into something warmer and more dimensional.
lime, zest
Lime zest picks up anise, star's bold licorice spice and warming sweetness, turning natural sweetness into something warmer and more dimensional.
liqueurs
Liqueurs extracts and carries anise, star's aroma, adding warmth and lift to drinks, sauces, or desserts.
Mace reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
Mangoes picks up anise, star's bold licorice spice and warming sweetness, turning natural sweetness into something warmer and more dimensional.
Maple syrup gives anise, star a sweet, starchy canvas where its warmth can read as comforting rather than sharp.
meats
Meats gives anise, star enough fat and savoriness to bloom into a deeper rub or braise, letting its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness season the whole dish.
Nutmeg pairs with anise, star by giving its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness a clearer place to land in the dish.
orange, zest
Orange zest picks up anise, star's bold licorice spice and warming sweetness, turning natural sweetness into something warmer and more dimensional.
oxtails
Oxtails gives anise, star enough fat and savoriness to bloom into a deeper rub or braise, letting its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness season the whole dish.
Pears picks up anise, star's bold licorice spice and warming sweetness, turning natural sweetness into something warmer and more dimensional.
Black pepper reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
pepper, szechuan
Pepper, szechuan reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
pineapple
Pineapple picks up anise, star's bold licorice spice and warming sweetness, turning natural sweetness into something warmer and more dimensional.
Plums picks up anise, star's bold licorice spice and warming sweetness, turning natural sweetness into something warmer and more dimensional.
Pork gives anise, star enough fat and savoriness to bloom into a deeper rub or braise, letting its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness season the whole dish.
poultry
Poultry gives anise, star enough fat and savoriness to bloom into a deeper rub or braise, letting its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness season the whole dish.
Pumpkin takes well to anise, star's warmth, gaining depth that balances vegetal sweetness and mild bitterness.
Raspberries picks up anise, star's bold licorice spice and warming sweetness, turning natural sweetness into something warmer and more dimensional.
root vegetables
Root vegetables takes well to anise, star's warmth, gaining depth that balances vegetal sweetness and mild bitterness.
Salmon benefits from anise, star's aromatic warmth, which adds depth without overwhelming the cleaner sweetness of the seafood.
sauces
Sauces pairs with anise, star by giving its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness a clearer place to land in the dish.
Scallions pairs with anise, star by giving its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness a clearer place to land in the dish.
Scallops benefits from anise, star's aromatic warmth, which adds depth without overwhelming the cleaner sweetness of the seafood.
Shellfish benefits from anise, star's aromatic warmth, which adds depth without overwhelming the cleaner sweetness of the seafood.
Shrimp benefits from anise, star's aromatic warmth, which adds depth without overwhelming the cleaner sweetness of the seafood.
soups
Soups pairs with anise, star by giving its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness a clearer place to land in the dish.
Soy sauce pairs with anise, star by giving its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness a clearer place to land in the dish.
stews
Stews pairs with anise, star by giving its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness a clearer place to land in the dish.
stocks, beef
Stocks, beef gives anise, star enough fat and savoriness to bloom into a deeper rub or braise, letting its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness season the whole dish.
stocks, chicken
Stocks, chicken gives anise, star enough fat and savoriness to bloom into a deeper rub or braise, letting its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness season the whole dish.
Sweet potatoes takes well to anise, star's warmth, gaining depth that balances vegetal sweetness and mild bitterness.
Tamarind pairs with anise, star by giving its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness a clearer place to land in the dish.
teas
Teas pairs with anise, star by giving its bold licorice spice and warming sweetness a clearer place to land in the dish.
Tuna benefits from anise, star's aromatic warmth, which adds depth without overwhelming the cleaner sweetness of the seafood.
Turmeric reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
Vanilla reinforces anise, star's aromatic side, building a rounder spice profile instead of leaving one loud note to do all the emotional labor.
vegetables
Vegetables takes well to anise, star's warmth, gaining depth that balances vegetal sweetness and mild bitterness.
wine, rice
Rice wine gives anise, star a sweet, starchy canvas where its warmth can read as comforting rather than sharp.