Anise and star anise are both used for their natural licorice-like flavor (but they’re different from licorice root). Have you ever wondered why some recipes call for anise seed and some say to use star anise? Are they the same thing?!
Star anise and anise seed are both spices, but they are from different plants. They both have a licorice-like flavor, but star anise is considered to have a more intense flavor than anise seed and is also more bitter than anise seed.
What are the other differences between star anise vs. anise seed? We’re glad you asked because we made a handy side-by-side comparison table to make it easy to tell at a glance! (Psst…one of them contains a chemical used to make Tamiflu!)
What is star anise?
Star anise (Illicium verum) is a star-shaped spice – hence its name! You can choose from whole star-shaped pods or ground star anise powder. Star anise has a licorice-like flavor that is similar to anise, but it’s described as being more intense in flavor compared to anise and it’s more bitter.
Star anise is one of the ingredients in Chinese Five-Spice Powder as well as Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine. You can also find star anise in teas and seasonings for meat. Star anise contains a chemical called shikimic acid, which is used to make the drug oseltamivir, otherwise known as Tamiflu (used to treat flu infections).
Star anise is more expensive than anise seed due to the limited places it can be grown and the fact that it’s hand-harvested. It’s often used to make anise extract since it has a stronger flavor compared to anise seed.
What is anise seed?
You might think that anise seed comes from the same plant as star anise, but it’s from an entirely different plant called Pimpinella anisum. Star anise has a similar licorice-like flavor as star anise because they both contain the essential oil called anethole, which is also present in fennel seed.
Anise seeds can be found whole or ground, but they don’t have a star shape like star anise. Anise seeds are less bitter than star anise, and if you’re substituting anise seed for star anise then you’ll need to use about twice as much.
Anise seed is usually easier to find in grocery stores compared to star anise. For instance, McCormick (a major herb and spice brand) doesn’t make star anise, but they do make anise seed.
Comparison of anise vs. star anise
| Anise seed (AKA aniseed) | Star anise | |
| Botanical name | Pimpinella anisum | Illicium verum |
| Herb or spice | Spice | Spice |
| Appearance | Slightly hairy gray-brown color when dried; can be whole seeds or ground powder | Dark brown star-shaped pods or ground powder |
| Flavor | Licorice-like with a subtle sweetness; peppery | Licorice-like flavor with subtle sweetness; stronger and more bitter flavor than anise seed |
| Aroma | Sweet, spicy, woody | Sweet, spicy, warm |
| Common uses | Used in savory dishes and seasonings for meat | Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine; ingredient in Chinese Five Spice Powder; often used to make anise extract and anise essential oil due to stronger flavor |
| Uses other than cooking | Homeopathic remedy for coughing and other respiratory issues; used as a digestive aid | Used homeopathically to fight infections; contains a chemical called shikimic acid which is used to make Tamiflu |
| Cost | $4.36 for 1.7 oz organic anise seed (Walmart) | $8.70 for 0.6 oz whole anise seeds (Safeway) |
Anise oil vs. anise extract
Star anise is often used to make essential oils since it has a stronger flavor compared to anise seeds. Anise extract can be made with star anise or anise seeds, but it’s typically made from star anise because of the stronger flavor.
Anise essential oil can be used as aromatherapy due to its pleasant licorice-like aroma. Anise extract is sometimes used in licorice-flavored candies and foods instead of real licorice. To make anise extract, the spices are soaked in alcohol, similar to how vanilla extract is made.
Star anise vs. anise – which one to use?!
Star anise and anise seeds have similar flavors, so how do you know which one to use? There isn’t a clear, one-size-fits-all answer to this question since it comes down to your preferences. Use star anise if you want to use less spice compared to regular anise and don’t mind its more bitter, intense flavor (though it’s still licorice-like).
If you want an easier-to-find, less expensive spice with a milder licorice flavor, then start with anise seed. If you’ve never used anise in cooking, we suggest starting with anise seeds and switching to star anise if you like the flavor and want to try the more intensely flavored version between the two!
FAQs:
It’s a bit confusing since ‘anise’ is in both names, but no – anise seed and star anise are not the same. They are entirely different plants, yet they both share a similar licorice-like flavor. Star anise is considered to have a stronger, more bitter flavor compared to anise seed.
When substituting anise for star anise, use twice the amount that you would use for star anise. The flavors are similar, but you need more anise because star anise is more potent and intense in flavor.
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