Star anise (八角) is a
spice which closely resembles
anise in flavor, obtained from the star-shaped
pericarp[?] of the
Illicium verum tree, a member of the
magnolia family (
Magnoliaceae) native to
China. It is widely used in
Chinese cuisine, and to a lesser degree in
South Asia and
Indonesia.
More recently, star anise has come into use in the West as a (cheaper) substitute for anise in baking as well as in liquor production.