noun

• 1A Mediterranean plant of the parsley family, cultivated for its aromatic seeds which are used in cooking and herbal medicine.

  Pimpinella anisum, family Umbelliferae. See also aniseed

  ‘Add a new dimension: cook carrots with cumin seeds; sprinkle beets with ground anise seeds; add a pinch of saffron threads to sauteed onions.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Nearly 25 centuries ago, Hippocrates wrote that ‘a pleasant odour is essential in any girl, and can be obtained and maintained by using a mouthwash containing anise, dill seeds, myrrh and white wine’.’
  • ‘Some of the herbs that have been shown to help with inadequate or slow milk supply are raspberry, nettles, anise, fenugreek and fennel seeds and alfalfa.’
  • ‘French tarragon has a light anise seed flavor and combines perfectly with rice and vegetables.’
  • ‘If you can't find Chinese five spice, substitute 1/4 teaspoon each ground cinnamon, ground cloves, ground ginger, and ground anise seeds.’
  • ‘Dill is an annual, whereas fennel is perennial; and fennel has an anise flavour which dill lacks.’
  • ‘In Ayurvedic cooking, healing spices like turmeric, coriander, anise, cumin, and cinnamon add flavor and aroma to meals, as well as balancing and toning the body's systems.’
  • ‘A number of reputable establishments sell a variety of healthful infusions of juniper berries, anise, caraway seeds and other life-enhancing botanicals.’
  • ‘A locally famous drink is the anise seed based raki, and brandy sour is another favorite with the Turkish Cypriots.’
  • ‘Accessing anise seed oil in New Zealand is expensive so other lotions and oils are sometimes substituted.’
  • ‘To treat a cough, make a calming tea from equal parts of licorice root, anise seed, mullein leaves and wild cherry bark.’
  • ‘Chew on a small handful of anise, dill, or fennel seeds when you feel bloated.’
  • ‘There is no part of the world that is not home to a variety of spices; cumin, coriander, fennel, fenugreek, nigella, sesame, anise, the list is endless.’
  • ‘For the pickled carrots: Combine orange juice, honey, anise seeds and salt in a saucepan and bring to a simmer.’
  • ‘Mortadella originated in Bologna, and is made with ground heat-cured pork sausage with lard pieces, then flavored with garlic and anise seed.’
  • ‘Include a little toasted anise seed for its subtle licorice hint, and you'll stir up a combo like none you've ever tasted.’
  • ‘A number of licorice - flavored liqueurs such as anisette, pastis and ouzo are made with anise seed.’
  • ‘For children, Pippali pepper can be substituted with two parts anise seed.’
  • ‘This is an old favourite on Irish menus, and was well delivered, especially with the interesting anise note from the tarragon.’
  • ‘Cinnamon, anise, and peppermint oil were all probably added for medicinal purposes at first, but as before, people found that these tasted pretty darn good, regardless if you were sick or not.’

• 2An Asian or American tree or shrub that bears fruit with an odour similar to that of aniseed.

  Genus Illicium, family Illiciaceae: many species, especially star anise (I. verum), used in Chinese cooking

  ‘Star anise - not to be confused with anise, a licorice-flavored herb - grows on evergreen trees in hot, humid, mountainous regions.’

  More example sentences

  • ‘Boil coconut milk with spices and star anises, stirring occasionally. After star anises become soft, grind them with other ground spices.’
  • ‘Firstly, you need to char your ginger, shallots, garlic and briefly roast the star anises, cinnamon stick and cardamom.’
  • ‘Add the tomatoes together with their juice, stock, whole star anises and parsley, mix well and bring to the boil.’
  • ‘Star Anise is so named from the stellate form of its fruit. It is often chewed in small quantities after each meal to promote digestion.’
  • ‘The licorice-flavored seeds of the star anise fruit may now be a major weapon against global influenza.’