Star anise, is a star-shaped fruit that is considered an essential ingredient in Chinese duck and pork recipes. Its licorice-like flavour is similar to that of aniseed and fennel It has a sweet warm, clover, liquorice flavour, and deep aroma. Used to add flavour to tea, soups, stir-fries and curries, while the ground star anise is a dominant ingredient in Chinese five-spice powder.