Anise extract is a bit of a niche product – a lot of people don’t even know it exists until they see a recipe that calls for it!
And that’s really a shame, because anise extract can add some interesting flavors to your dishes, making them quite unique and tasty! In fact, it’s a popular flavoring agent in German and Italian bakes, such as biscotti!
Now, since anise extract is powerful with a licorice flavor, you want to be sure that the stuff you’re using is good, as the unique flavor can really make-or-break your dish depending on what extract you’re using.
That’s exactly why we’ve gone ahead and tested a bunch of anise extracts, putting them through our testing process to find out exactly which ones deserve your attention – and which ones you should avoid!
So, without further ado, let’s jump in!
What is anise extract?
Anise extract is a liquid that has a very strong licorice flavor with some sweetness. This is due to anethole being in it, which is an aromatic compound that’s found in anise, fennel, tarragon, and even licorice!
It’s mainly made by putting anise seeds or dried fennel seeds in alcohol for a long period of time – usually up to a couple months! The alcohol, which is most commonly unflavored vodka, acts to extract the flavor of the ingredients. The liquid is then strained once it’s ready, resulting in anise extract!
Now, I mentioned that this stuff has a very powerful flavor, so just a couple drops often does the trick for flavoring anything! Plus, the alcohol ensures that this stuff has a really long shelf-life, so you’ll likely run out of your anise extract before it has the chance to go rancid!
How to use anise extract in recipes
If you’re wanting that specific licorice taste in your recipes, look no further than anise extract!
This stuff is perfect for baking, adding a slightly sweet and strong licorice flavor with just a few drops. It’s especially popular in biscotti, which are dry, crunchy Italian biscuits. You can also use anise extract for adding the special flavor in something like bread and cookies!
If you’re really liking the flavor, some bakers will switch out the vanilla extract a recipe may call for with anise extract, adding a very unique twist!
I recommend starting with about ½ to 1 teaspoon of anise extract for flavoring, as the strong taste can become overpowering. Then, you can add more as desired!
If you’re looking to substitute other things with anise extract, try these conversions:
- 1 teaspoon of anise extract for every 1 teaspoon of licorice flavoring
- 1 teaspoon of anise extract for every 1 tablespoon of anise-flavored liqueur (for example Anisette, Ouzo, Pastis, Sambuca, etc.)
- 1 teaspoon of anise extract for every 2 teaspoons of ground anise seed
These will get you similar flavorings!
3 great recipes to use your anise extract
Remember, anise extract is perfect in recipes that call for the flavor, but you can also add it to anything if you specifically want the flavor – or use it instead of other extracts, like vanilla, if you want to get creative:
- Almond flour cookies: This is a delicious cookie recipe that you absolutely have to try! It uses almond flour for a nutty twist, and is gluten-free to boot! Now, it doesn’t call for anise extract, but this is one of those bakes where you can experiment and add about ½ teaspoon of it, or even replace it for the vanilla extract that the recipe calls for!
- Almond flour biscotti: Biscotti is one of those classic bakes that uses the anise flavor, but this recipe doesn’t call for it. It’s delicious, and the nuttiness of it is mouth-watering, but you can absolutely try adding a couple drops of anise extract to get a more traditional biscotti flavor!
- Elderberry syrup: Now, this recipe doesn’t include anise extract, but it does offer the option of using star anise in addition, adding to the immune-boosting characteristics of this syrup. However, you can add anise extract if you want a flavor-boost, giving this delicious and powerful syrup a little twist!
How to choose the best anise extract
Finding the best anise extract requires a bit of research, which is exactly what we did for you! We’ve also created this list of criteria that filters out all the low-quality anise extracts, so we know that we’re only getting the best:
- Ingredients: Artificial flavors and colors are things we avoid, as they don’t add anything useful – why get artificial stuff when you can have the real deal?
- Consumer feedback: People talk, and we listen. There’s valuable information in customer reviews, giving us a much deeper insight on why or why not someone likes a product!
- Track record: Sketchy ingredient lists, poor customer support, and scandals – we do some detective work to ensure that every brand has a good track record, as that’ll reflect in their products!
- Price: From budget-friendly options to anise extracts that’ll lighten your wallet a little, we’ve got prices for everyone!
With all that said and done, let’s get into the rankings!
#1 Best Overall: Savory Spice
Taking the number 1 spot for best overall anise extract is Savory Spice!
This brand managed to beat out some heavy hitters on this list, and grabbed the top seat for making a truly great anise extract! It has a powerful flavor, with just the right balance of licorice and sweetness. Savory Spice uses extremely high-quality ingredients in this anise extract – and you can definitely tell!
It comes in at the solid price of $2.50 per fluid ounce, and has a 4.7 out of 5 stars from the customer reviews. We’re sure you’ll love it so much that you’ll also want to leave an awesome review as well!
Definitely try this one!
Ingredients: Alcohol, water and the finest quality pure anise oil.
#2 Best Value: OliveNation
Our number 2 spot for the best value anise extract goes to none other than OliveNation!
These guys have been making extremely high-value flavoring agents for a while, and the quality for the price of this anise extract is truly amazing! It’ll cost you just $1.23 per fluid ounce, and you get a pure and natural product that’ll surely get the job done!
With a price like this, you’d usually question the quality of the product, but we love this anise extract for its great taste and obvious high-quality!
Ingredients: Alcohol, Water, Glycerin, and Anise Oil.
#3 Trusted Brand: McCormick
One of our most trusted brands for many flavoring agents, McCormick anise extract is one that you can feel comfortable buying! The brand is basically synonymous with “flavoring agents,” and they consistently make great products!
It’s also kosher-certified, and has 30,000+ overwhelmingly positive reviews! And, it comes in at the amazing price of $1.60 per fluid ounce! The flavor is well-balanced, offering a proper licorice taste – and you can pour it using their easy pour spout, which makes it easier to avoid messes and spills!
Try this delicious anise extract – you won’t regret it!
Ingredients: Alcohol, Water, and Oil of Anise.
#4 Runner-up: Native Vanilla
The number 4 spot goes to Native Vanilla!
This is an awesome brand that only uses natural and sustainable products, and puts a massive emphasis on creating delicious flavoring agents that’ll meet your needs! And their anise extract will definitely do that – and even surpass them! It provides a wonderful flavor, and will have you reaching for it over and over again!
Plus, you get to support a small business that’s dedicated to fair practices and taking care of the earth, which is a pretty cool addition to enjoying an awesome anise extract!
Give this one a go!
Ingredients: Alcohol, water, glycerin and oil of anise.
#5 Baker’s Choice: Watkins
Watkins is beloved by many bakers, which makes sense considering they make some absolutely amazing flavoring products!
And not just that, but they’ve been on top of their game for over 150 years, truly perfecting the craft – which is evident in their anise extract! It boasts a bold and balanced flavor, adding value to whatever you add it to. Your bakes will enjoy the high-quality ingredients that this extract has, and it’ll show you why so many bakers go to Watkins over and over again!
You’ll love this one!
Ingredients: Alcohol, Water, Anise Oil.
#6 Honorable Mention: Happy Home
We want to give a shout-out to Happy Home for their great anise extract!
This family business based in Virginia has an obvious commitment to creating delicious flavoring agents, and has done so since 1929. Their anise extract uses pure and natural ingredients, with no artificial flavors! It also has no artificial colors, and is kosher-certified, making it a great natural choice.
A natural anise extract made by a family business based in the USA? That sounds pretty great to us!
Ingredients: Pure Anise Oil, Water, Alcohol.
#7 Honorable Mention: Happy Belly
And another “happy” honorable mention goes to Happy Belly!
This is an Amazon brand, which is usually a little off-putting to me because massive brands like that don’t always have the passion for something like smaller businesses do. However, Happy Belly deserves a mention here because they offer a solid anise extract that’s natural and will absolutely get the job done.
However, it is the second most expensive on this list, coming in at $5.10 per fluid ounce.
Ingredients: Alcohol, Water, Anise oil.
#8 Best Keto: Dolce Foglia
For all you people that are participating in keto diets, this anise extract is for you!
Dolce Foglia makes several keto-friendly flavoring agents, with their anise extract being a solid option. It offers a strong and balanced taste while fitting all the qualities needed for the special diet – it also comes with a dropper, which makes it way easier to add this great anise extract drop by drop!
It’s the most expensive one on this list, however, costing $7.48 per fluid ounce. So, I recommend checking another one on this list out, unless you specifically need this one for keto diets, in which case it’s perfect!
Or, you can even buy it and enjoy it for yourself!
Ingredients: Propylene Glycol, Natural & Artificial Flavoring.
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