star anise

noun

|Updated on: 8 Jun 2018

Definition of star anise

: the small brown star-shaped pungent fruit of a Chinese and Vietnamese tree (Illicium verum) that has a flavor similar to but stronger than anise and is dried and used whole or ground as a spice especially in Chinese cooking

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Recent Examples of star anise from the Web

Cotechino, the normally girthy New Year's sausage, comes bratwurst size, sliced on the bias, and served atop creamy cannellini beans, its grind redolent of orange, nutmeg, burnt cinnamon, and star anise.

— mike sula, Chicago Reader, "Saba is stealthy Italian that might surprise traditionalists," 31 May 2018
Sweetness leaches from rock sugar, goji berries, star anise, cloves, cinnamon and licorice — the scents alone stir the palate — and is held in check by heat, conjured by doubanjiang, dried red chiles and Sichuan peppercorns for a low-level buzz.

— ligaya mishan, New York Times, "At Ho Foods, a Noodle Soup That Nourishes and Transports," 19 Apr. 2018
Five spice — This powder is made of ground cumin, star anise, cinnamon, peppercorns and cloves, and is used heavily in meat dishes as a dry rub or part of a marinade.

— grace wong, chicagotribune.com, "How to shop Asian grocery stores and stock your pantry," 1 Mar. 2018
Proof on Main, at Louisville’s 21c Museum Hotel, features a julep where single-barrel bourbon is swizzled with ginger-lime cordial, and in addition to a mint garnish, a spice blend of clove, star anise, nutmeg and black pepper is torched atop.

— carey jones, Vogue, "The Many Mint Juleps of the Kentucky Derby," 5 May 2018
Add green onions, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, michiu, sambal oelek, star anise and 1/4 cup water.

— jennifer day, chicagotribune.com, "No matter how you dress it, congee is comfort food," 16 Feb. 2018
The air fills with the tantalizing smell of star anise and ginger, shrimp shells and pork ribs, commingling in a pressure cooker.

— devra first, BostonGlobe.com, "Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Noodle Soup? Cricket Noodle Soup? Noodle soup cocktails?," 23 Apr. 2018
The spirit is distilled from Kansas wheat and steeped with grand and Roman wormwood, fennel, star anise, hyssop, spearmint, peppermint, melissa leaf (lemon balm), chamomile and hibiscus.

— anne brockhoff, kansascity, "Is your cocktail in season? Bartenders letting gardens dictate what's in your glass | The Kansas City Star," 23 Apr. 2018
In a sauté pan over medium heat, toast the star anise, cardamom, cinnamon, peppercorn, coriander, and chiles, stirring frequently, until fragrant (just a few minutes).

— brittany martin, Los Angeles Magazine, "Celebrate a Very L.A. Passover with This “Pho-tza Ball” Soup," 26 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'star anise.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of star anise

1838

in the meaning defined above

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STAR ANISE Defined for English Language Learners

star anise

noun

Definition of star anise for English Language Learners

: a small brown star-shaped fruit that is dried and used as a spice especially in Chinese cooking

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Definition of star anise

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