Although star anise seems to be used for decoration, it is really a popular spice used in some baked products and savory foods created in the kitchen. If you’re looking for a star anise alternative, several may give the same texture and taste, while others provide more cooking ease.
If you don’t have access to star anise or want to try something entirely different, this post will provide 5 of the greatest replacements.
Contents
- What is star anise?
- How healthy (or unhealthy) is it?
- What recipes are star anise used in?
- Why do we need star anise substitutes?
- The Bottom Line
- FAQs
- What herb has a similar flavor to anise?
- What is a cheaper alternative to star anise?
- What can I use instead of star anise for mulled wine?
- Can you replace star anise with extract?
- What is the closest thing to star anise?
- What tastes like star anise?
- What is star anise the same as?
- Why is star anise so expensive?
- What is the same as anise?
- What does star anise do in baking?
What is star anise?
Many people believe that common anise and star anise are the same thing, but this couldn’t be farther from the truth. Star anise is a green fruit that grows on an evergreen tree.
People pluck it from the tree, allowing it to ripen before drying. After the procedure is finished, it resembles a brown, hard seed. Each star contains around six to ten points, and each one has a single seed.
How healthy (or unhealthy) is it?
Star anise is an adaptable spice that provides several health advantages to individuals who take it. The incorporation of numerous antioxidants, which may assist maintain your body healthy, is the most important.
It is also a spice with anti-inflammatory effects, which contribute to its overall wellness. It may also improve digestion, alleviate nausea, and relieve cramps. Overall, this is a healthy spice that may keep your body working smoothly.
Nutritional Breakdown
|
Anise (star anise) |
Amount (per 100 g) (per 100 g) |
% Daily intake recommendation |
|
Calories |
415 kcal |
20% |
|
Fat in total |
16 g |
26% |
|
Saturated fatty acid |
0.5 g |
4% |
|
Cholesterol |
0 g |
0% |
|
Protein |
18 g |
35% |
|
Carbohydrates |
50 g |
18% |
|
Salt |
16 mg |
1% |
|
A vitamin |
0 ug |
0% |
|
D vitamin |
0 ug |
0% |
|
E vitamin |
0 ug |
0% |
(CalorieKing nutritional information is used.)
What recipes are star anise used in?
There are several dishes that may be enhanced by utilizing the lovely star anise spice. Poultry and meat stews, handmade sauces, and mulled wines, beer, and cider are among the most popular recipes that include the spice. Star anise, when crushed or grated, provides a unique taste to delicacies such as brownies, gingerbread, and chocolate cake.
Why do we need star anise substitutes?
There are several reasons why individuals choose to use a star anise replacement instead of the genuine spice while cooking. One of the most important reasons is that it is somewhat pricey, therefore individuals on a tight budget may wish to look for a less expensive alternative.
It may also be difficult to buy in local markets, while equivalents on this list may be easy to acquire and purchase. Star anise replacements are particularly beneficial if you run out of the spice and need to complete cooking or baking something quickly.
Note:
= vegan
1. Common anise🌱
Great for: baking items like as pies and cookies, as well as flavoring hot beverages.
As previously stated in the article, star anise is not the same as ordinary anise. Yet, they all provide a strong licorice taste to your favorite recipes. Natural anise has a milder taste than star anise, which may appeal to folks who aren’t major licorice enthusiasts.
With this in mind, when substituting common anise for star anise, use about twice as much common anise to have the same effect.
Advantages
Conventional anise provides various health advantages that may outweigh the benefits of star anise. It contains a lot of iron, which aids in the production of blood cells in the human body. It also has few calories, a little quantity of protein, and some fiber.
Anise also contains manganese, magnesium, calcium, potassium, and other minerals. Eating common anise has also been proved to assist diabetics control their blood sugar levels.
Disadvantages
In most circumstances, persons who use ordinary anise will encounter minor negative effects. Nevertheless, some individuals may have adverse responses, particularly those who are sensitive to celery, dill, parsley, or fennel.
This spice also mimics estrogen and may exacerbate the symptoms of hormonal diseases including endometriosis and breast cancer. Nevertheless, most individuals who use anise will not have these problems, particularly in modest doses used in cooking and baking.
Nutritional breakdown
|
Anise (common anise) |
Amount (per 100 g) (per 100 g) |
% Daily intake recommendation |
|
Calories |
10 g |
0.5% |
|
Fat in total |
16 g |
26% |
|
Saturated fatty acid |
0.6 g |
5% |
|
Cholesterol |
0 mg |
0% |
|
Salt |
16 mg |
0.8% |
|
Protein |
18 g |
35% |
|
Calcium |
646 mg |
65% |
|
Iron |
37 mg |
264% |
|
Potassium |
1441 mg |
35% |
|
A vitamin |
311 ug |
39% |
(This is based on USDA nutritional data.)
2. Chinese five-spice🌱
Marinades, dry rubs, veggies, breading, and baked products work well.
The first thing to know about Chinese five-spice is that it contains clove, star anise, fennel, cassia, and Szechuan peppercorns. Since star anise plays a prominent role in this spice combination, it works well as a stand-in for only star anise.
It is important to remember, however, that the inclusion of the additional spices results in a meal with a varied taste profile. This may be beneficial in certain recipes, but it may cause other foods to taste somewhat different than planned.
Advantages
Although it may seem that employing a spice combination would dilute the taste of the star anise, this is not the case. Since it is the most strong spice in the blend, star anise dominates the taste.
The other components are more in the background and serve to compliment rather than replace the star anise. If you use five spice instead of star anise, use around one and a half times the quantity of star anise specified in the recipe.
Disadvantages
Although taste may be a benefit, it can also be a drawback if all of the spices in the mix do not match the food you are creating.
This spice also has very little nutritional value in terms of calories, protein, and vitamins, therefore it doesn’t contribute much to your daily nutrition.
Nutritional breakdown
|
Five-spice powder from China |
Amount (per 100 g) (per 100 g) |
% Daily intake recommendation |
|
Calories |
308 kcal |
15% |
|
Fat in total |
11 g |
18% |
|
Saturated fatty acid |
2 g |
15% |
|
Cholesterol |
0 mg |
0% |
|
Protein |
9 g |
18% |
|
Carbohydrates |
66 g |
25% |
|
Salt |
76 mg |
4% |
|
A vitamin |
0 ug |
0% |
|
D vitamin |
0 ug |
0% |
|
E vitamin |
0 ug |
0% |
(CalorieKing nutritional information is used.)
3. Fennel seeds🌱
Sauces, soups, fish meals, curries, and condiments work well.
Fennel seeds are another spice that works well as a replacement for star anise. It has a licorice taste, similar to star anise, common anise, and five-spice, and may give a little of zing to your dish.
It is also sweeter than star anise, however adding common anise might reduce this if you like a more classic taste. Since both spices are milder than star anise, you will need to use a larger quantity when replacing.
For the finest flavor, use around one and a half times the quantity of star anise stated in your recipe.
Advantages
Fennel may not be as often used as cinnamon or pepper flakes, but it is an excellent pantry staple. It has a licorice taste comparable to star anise and is quite fragrant, so your dishes will smell delicious.
This spice is minimal in calories and has just a trace of fat, protein, and digestible carbohydrates. Fennel seed also contains several nutrients that are beneficial to your health, including iron, zinc, calcium, and magnesium.
Disadvantages
As long as you are not allergic to fennel seeds, there aren’t many drawbacks to utilizing them. It may create digestive issues when switching from a low fiber to a high fiber diet, although this is true of many substances. Those with allergies may develop skin responses in rare situations, in which case a different star anise alternative should be used.
Nutritional Breakdown
|
Fennel |
Amount (per 100 g) (per 100 g) |
% Daily intake recommendation |
|
Calories |
345 kcal |
12% |
|
Fat in total |
15 g |
18% |
|
Saturated fatty acid |
0.5 g |
3% |
|
Cholesterol |
0 mg |
0% |
|
Protein |
16 g |
31% |
|
Carbohydrates |
52 g |
19% |
|
Salt |
88 mg |
5% |
|
A vitamin |
7 ug |
1% |
|
Calcium |
1196 mg |
120% |
|
Potassium |
1694 mg |
41% |
(This is based on USDA nutritional data.)
4. Allspice🌱
Sweet drinks, gingerbread, roasted vegetables, and soups are ideal.
Allspice is another choice for replacing star anise, and it will appeal to individuals who aren’t lovers of licorice since it lacks the taste character. What it does provide to your recipes is an exotic flare and an intense sweetness that may complement many cuisines that call for star anise.
Adding a little sugar to the allspice may also provide a taste similar to star anise. Allspice is formed from dried berries of a plant and is similar to nutmeg, cloves, pepper, and cinnamon.
Advantages
This spice has a number of medicinal components that may help keep your body healthy. Eugenol, gallic acid, ericifolin, and quercitin are a few examples.
It includes a few calories but nothing ridiculous, and it has protein, good fats, and a lot of calcium. For people who need additional iron, vitamin A, and carbs in their diet, allspice is a good source.
Disadvantages
If you like star anise for its licorice taste, the absence of that flavor while employing allspice will be a drawback. Most individuals will have no problem replacing star anise for allspice, but excessive quantities may cause stomach upset.
It may also delay blood clotting and should not be used with drugs that affect coagulation. Nevertheless, most recipes utilize modest quantities that will not cause any issues.
Nutritional breakdown
|
Allspice |
Amount (per 100 g) (per 100 g) |
% Daily intake recommendation |
|
Calories |
263 kcal |
13% |
|
Fat in total |
9 g |
11% |
|
Saturated fatty acid |
3 g |
20% |
|
Cholesterol |
0 mg |
0% |
|
Protein |
6 g |
12% |
|
Carbohydrates |
72 g |
26% |
|
Salt |
77 mg |
4% |
|
A vitamin |
27 ug |
3% |
|
Calcium |
661 mg |
66% |
|
Iron |
7 mg |
37% |
(This is based on USDA nutritional data.)
5. Clove🌱
Meat, rice meals, sauces, desserts, and drinks work well.
Clove may also be used in instead of star anise in a recipe. This component, like allspice, lacks the licorice undertones found in the other replacements. It may, however, provide a respectable amount of bitterness and a significant quantity of sweetness to your meal.
If you’re going to substitute cloves for star anise in your recipe, use roughly the same quantity as the original spice.
Advantages
Cloves include manganese, vitamin K, vitamin C, and trace quantities of vitamin E, calcium, and magnesium, among other nutrients. Another advantage of using this star anise alternative is that it is widely available and can be purchased in most supermarkets and health food shops.
This may be useful if you need star anise urgently and don’t want to travel out of your way to obtain it.
Disadvantages
In terms of human health, this component may inhibit blood coagulation, which increases the risk of bleeding when ingested in excessive quantities.
Nevertheless, when a modest quantity is used to flavor a baked item or other culinary preparation, this is usually not a concern. Moderation is crucial when using cloves, so creating a batch of muffins or biscuits using the spice shouldnt be a problem.
Nutritional Breakdown
|
Clove |
Amount (per 100 g) (per 100 g) |
% Daily intake recommendation |
|
Calories |
275 kcal |
13% |
|
Fat in total |
13 g |
16% |
|
Saturated fatty acid |
4 g |
27% |
|
Cholesterol |
0 mg |
0% |
|
Protein |
6 g |
12% |
|
Carbohydrates |
66 g |
24% |
|
Salt |
277 mg |
15% |
|
Calcium |
632 mg |
63% |
|
Potassium |
1020 mg |
25% |
|
Iron |
12 mg |
63% |
(This is based on USDA nutritional data.)
The Bottom Line
Star anise is a spice that may be found in a variety of cuisines, both savory and sweet. It may not be a spice that everyone uses, but it has its benefits, and those that prefer the taste of licorice will certainly learn to appreciate it and use it often. Nevertheless, it is not always simple to get and may be costly, so alternatives can be a fantastic way to get the taste you want without paying the price.
The star anise replacements in this list taste and feel almost identical to star anise. These may not be identical, but some are more nutritionally dense and feature additional tastes that enable you to cook in a variety of ways. If you’re seeking for a certain option that provides health benefits, convenience, and other advantages, our overview below will help you decide which to buy.
Top vegan picks
All of the spices on this list that may be used in place of star anise are vegan, as are most spices. But, if you want a quick vegan choice without checking labels, ordinary anise, fennel seeds, and clove are your best options.
Individuals who desire to avoid the licorice flavor may select clove due to its absence of that attribute. Allspice is another option that claims to be free of that taste, but check the label to ensure it is vegan.
Top healthy picks
When it comes to spices and health and wellbeing, there isn’t much to compare. These chemicals are normally used in tiny doses and provide health advantages.
Cloves are one of the replacements we suggest for high nutritional levels, while allspice is another option that may satisfy your culinary demands. If your diet is lacking in calcium or potassium, fennel seeds are an excellent source of both.
Top convenient picks
The majority of the spices on our list are easily accessible and may be purchased at a grocery store or online. Natural anise is another alternative that is widely available and has a taste profile similar to star anise.
Other spices that are widely available include allspice and Chinese five-spice. Many individuals have one or more of them in their pantry or spice rack, so when a recipe calls for star anise, you can easily grab it and go.
Top convincing picks
The most persuasive choices will have the licorice taste that star anise is known for. The most popular solution for this need is common anise.
Chinese five-spice and fennel seeds, on the other hand, have the licorice taste while also adding other flavors to the mix. When the licorice taste is not given, the star anise replacement to avoid is clove.
Sources:
What Exactly Is Star Anise?
anise#section8nutritionwww.healthline.comhttps:
the-health-benefits-of-cloves-89050www.verywellhealth.comhttps:
benefits-of-clovesgood-foodwww.wellandgood.comhttps:
FAQs
What herb has a similar flavor to anise?
Other plants that contribute to anise taste include fennel and licorice. Because of a few chemical elements in common, these three plants have similar scents and tastes.
What is a cheaper alternative to star anise?
Best Ground Star Anise Replacement Substitutes for star anise.
Five Chinese spices.
Allspice.
Tarragon + Caraway Seeds.
Powdered Cassia Bark.
Root of licorice.
Extract of an anise.
Sambuca.
More to come…
What can I use instead of star anise for mulled wine?
Star anise (so named because it is shaped like a star) is normally sweet with a moderate and aromatic licorice taste. Anise seed or fennel seeds are the closest substitutes since they are both licorice-like taste spices.
Can you replace star anise with extract?
The taste of star anise is stronger. When replacing star anise with anise extract, use 1 teaspoon anise extract for 1 teaspoon star anise.
What is the closest thing to star anise?
When you don’t have star anise on hand, here are a couple more options.
The seed of anise.
The seed of fennel.
Five Chinese spices.
Cloves.
Allspice.
What tastes like star anise?
The seed of fennel.
Fennel seeds are another star anise replacement. Fennel seed has a very distinct taste than star anise, but it can suffice in a pinch. We suggest using a lower quantity of fennel since the taste is distinct.
What is star anise the same as?
Anise seed and star anise are two distinct plants with origins in various regions of the globe. Since they both contain the essential oil anethole, their taste characteristics are similar, albeit star anise is regarded more bitter and herbaceous.
Why is star anise so expensive?
Whole star anise packages may be pricey since it takes a lot of effort to harvest the spice and maintain its form intact.
What is the same as anise?
Anise and licorice are often grouped together, and the terms are even used interchangeably. The weird thing is, they couldn’t be more different. Licorice and anise have a similar flavor and scent, yet they have distinct personalities.
What does star anise do in baking?
It will transfer tastes from the other spices, and the licorice flavor of star anise will be milder, but it will simulate both the flavor and warmth of the spice.