Star Anise | Chakra Phool
Star Anise | Chakra Phool
Star Anise | Chakra Phool
Star Anise, or Chakra Phool, is an exotic spice native to Southeast Asia, particularly India, Vietnam, China, and Laos. It is the star-shaped flower of the Illicium verum plant and is widely used in sweet and savory dishes. It has a strong, pungent flavor and aroma, with notes of licorice, fennel, and clove.
It is a key ingredient in traditional Chinese Five Spice Powder and many Indian spice blends, such as garam masala.
These are premium quality hand-harvested spices from our partner farms in Arunachal Pradesh, the largest producing state.
Star Anise Spice
It is a versatile spice that can be used whole or ground, adding depth and complexity to any dish. In addition to cooking, It is also used to flavor liqueurs and confectioneries in Indian recipes like biryanis, soups, Kadha (concatenation), curries, and some desserts. It has been used for centuries in traditional Indian ayurvedic medicine for its health benefits.
Chakra Phool masala
Chakra Phool masala is a popular spice in India. It is used in traditional Indian spice blends such as garam masala, a blend of warm spices in various dishes, including curries, biryani, soups, and stews. Some call it Phool Chakri Masala, used in various dishes and spice blends.
In Indian cooking, star anise is often used whole, giving dishes a mild and sweet licorice flavor. It is also sometimes ground into a fine powder and added to spice blends, which helps to enhance the flavor and aroma of dishes.
Illicium verum - Scientific Name for this spice
This spice is a member of the Schisandraceae family. I. Verum is a small native evergreen tree of Arunachal Pradesh, Some part of Konkan or the coastal belt of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Kerala in India, northeast Vietnam, and southwest China.
In addition to cooking, star anise is also used in traditional Indian medicine for its health benefits. It is believed to have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties, making it useful in treating various ailments, such as indigestion, coughs, and respiratory infections.
Chakra Phool in India
Chakra Phool is widely available in India and can be found in most grocery stores and spice shops. It is typically sold whole or ground and stored for several months in an airtight container, away from light and moisture, to preserve its flavor and aroma.
Chakra Phool is a popular and versatile spice in India, used in cooking and traditional medicine. Its sweet licorice flavor and health benefits make it a valuable addition to any Indian kitchen.