These gluten-free star anise and orange muffins are wonderfully aromatic. Ideal for breakfast or a snack — light, egg-free, tender and quick to prepare.

Today, for the Herbs and Flowers on the Plate column we talk about a wonderful flower, star anise. Not to be confused with common anise (Pimpinella anisum), which has a different shape and comes from a different plant; however, they share the unmistakable flavor.

History of star anise

Star anise (Illicium verum) comes from Asia; it is an evergreen tropical tree and was known even in Roman times.

Star anise later arrived in Europe from China around the 17th century, and here it is used whole, crushed into pieces or ground into powder, often blended with other spices.

Star anise is unmistakable for the marvelous star shape with 8–12 points of the woody follicle that contains the seeds.

Properties of star anise

With its anethole content, it acts as a natural antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and digestive. Star anise also has antibacterial and antiviral properties. For example, recently I had a bad cough and star anise helped me even with potential bronchitis.

Culinary uses of star anise

Star anise is used in many preparations and enhances both sweet and savory dishes.

Did you know that sambuca or the Franco-Provençal “pastis” or the Greek ouzo are prepared with star anise? Widely used in Japanese and generally Eastern cuisine, the leaves are also used in salads.

How do I use star anise in the kitchen? If I have it in powder form I add it to basic soy soups and miso, or I sprinkle a pinch in desserts or vegetable dishes. If I use the whole pods, I boil them for about half an hour and then chop them. I prefer the whole seeds because the essential oil of star anise is very volatile and the powder quickly loses its aroma.

Try the orange compote; you’ll find it delightful if you add star anise — use it with cinnamon or in place of cinnamon for these pancakes, for example.

Herbal teas are excellent: boil star anise together with cardamom and ginger — delightful. Or prepare a special cocktail like the coquito coconut drink and add a pinch of star anise.

During the Christmas season, star anise cannot be missing, used both as decoration and as a top ingredient.

I was talking about desserts with star anise — it works wonderfully in cookie doughs and today I used it here for these Gluten-Free Star Anise Muffins.

You can find other recipes with spices that pair well with star anise such as nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom and cloves to create an amazing sweet spice mix. For example: