Naturevibe Botanicals Organic Star Anise Whole 1lb Non-GMO and Gluten Free Adds Flavor and Aroma

?The tradition of serving cake at wedding receptions is thought to originate with the ancient Roman practice of ending a feast with mustaceum, a cake spiced with aniseed and wrapped in a layer of bay leaves. The Roman naturalist and philosopher, Pliny the Elder, who wrote about anise more than any other botanical, highly recommended the use of anise in wedding cake to stimulate the couple’s appetite for romance on their wedding night. . ?Native to the Mediterranean, Asian, and North African regions, this plant grows up to 2 feet tall and has grows annually to produce feather-laden leaves and yellow flowers. It is cultivated in gardens and grown on a commercial scale. When seeds ripen in warm months, they are harvested and dried in trays. . ?Anise seed is a flavoring agent in the food and beverage industries. In addition to commercial baked goods and other processed foods, it is found in French Chartreuse, German Jägermeister and Greek ouzo, among other liquors. The essential oil derived from the seed is used as an insecticide and fish attractant. ?The flavor pairs well with apples, stewed fruits, beef (especially in stew), sausage and sharp cheeses. ?Western cuisines have long used anise to flavor dishes, drinks, and candies. The most powerful flavor component of the essential oil of anise, anethole, is found in both anise and an unrelated spice indigenous to northern China called star anise (Illicium verum) widely used in South Asian, Southeast Asian, and East Asian dishes. Star anise is considerably less expensive to produce, and has gradually displaced P. anisum in Western markets. While formerly produced in larger quantities