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Anise powder

Also Known As : Aniseed powder, Saumph powder
Technical Name : Pimpinella anisum
Can Eat 1

Vegetarian

Taste Profile

It has a sweet, grassy taste reminiscent of licorice. It is sweet, mildly spicy, and at the same time very aromatic.

Usage Tips

  1. Store Anise powder in airtight containers, place in cool, dark place. Use it at the earliest possible as it loses its flavor rather quickly.
  2. Anise powder can be used as a spice in Italian, German, Middle Eastern, Indian, and Mexican cooking.
  3. It can be used in both sweet and savoury applications. It can be added to baked goods like cakes, muffins, breads and biscuits.
  4. It can be used as a flavoring base for soups, sauces, vegetables, stews and omelets. It can be used as a finishing spice in dal, chaats and curries to sprinkle at the final stage of preparation.
  5. It can be used to flavour drinks such as coffee or hot chocolate. It can also be added to fruit fillings for pies, and ground meat before baking.

Common names and forms

  1. Aniseed powder

Description

Anise is a perennial, flowering plant that belongs to the Apiaceae family in the genus Pimpinella and is native to Middle-East and Mediterranean region. It produces flowers and a small white fruit called anise seed. Anise powder is a fine, brown powder obtained from crushed anise seeds obtained from Pimpinella anisum plant, which has been cultivated in Egypt, the Middle East, and Europe. The seeds are tiny, about 3-4 mm long and oblong or curved, comma-shaped. They are brownish-grey in color with fine strips over its outer surface that produce brown anise powder when ground. The powder has an aroma of licorice.

Health benefits

  • Reduce Inflammation: Anise seed powder is a good source of antioxidants that can help to reduce inflammation and can also prevent diseases that cause oxidative damage (imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body that results in cell and tissue damage).(1)
  • Balance blood sugar levels: It contains an active ingredient called anethole, that helps to lower blood sugar level by altering levels of several key enzymes in the body like gluconeogenic enzymes.(1)
  • Relieve Menopause symptoms: It mimic the effects of estrogen in body and reduces the symptoms of menopause such as hot flashes, dry skin, and fatigue.(1)
  • Antimicrobial properties: Anethole, an active ingredient present in anise seed possess antimicrobial properties that help to prevent infections and inhibit the growth of fungi and bacteria.(1)
  • Protect against stomach ulcers: Anise seed powder can help to prevent the formation of stomach ulcers by reducing stomach acid secretion.(1)
  • Produces blood cells: It is a good source of iron that promotes the production of healthy blood cells in the body.(1)

Selection Guide

To prepare anise powder at home, choose good quality anise seeds from organic herb stores for purity and authenticity. The seeds should be bright olive-green to grey-brown in color and the ones with broken tips must be avoided. When buying anise powder from the store in packaged form, make sure it is well sealed as loose powder may lose its taste and aroma. Go for pale brown colored anise powder with mild fragrance. Also, make sure that the powder is free-flowing and contains no clumps.

Note

Intake of Anise seed powder can cause allergic reactions (red or inflammed skin and itching) to people that are already allergic to plants of the same family like celery, parsley, fennel or dill. It can also mimic the effects of estrogen in the body that could worsen symptoms of hormone-sensitive conditions such as breast cancer or endometriosis (tissues that otherwise lines the uterus, grows outside the uterus).(2)

Resource & Links

(1,2) https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/anise

- Disclaimer
"Information here is provided for discussion and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice or product or ingredient review/rating. The information may not apply to you and before you use or take any action, you should contact the manufacturer, seller, medical, dietary, fitness or other professional. If you utilize any information provided here, you do so at your own risk and you waive any right against Culinary Communications Private Limited, its affiliates, officers, directors, employees or representatives.”