Star anise, a treasure rich in unique aroma and essential for cooking, is affectionately known as Da Yu or Five Spices. Its fruit is the gift of the star anise tree and an indispensable part of Chinese food culture. Whether it is to add aroma to dishes or to marinate and roast meat, star anise shows its unique charm. However, the anise, whether it is real or fake, is difficult to distinguish. If you accidentally buy fake star anise, it may even pose a threat to your health. Therefore, today I am going to share with you tips on how to distinguish real and fake star anise, to help you avoid being deceived when buying star anise. Let's find out together!
Many of you may know that there is a plant called Mangweed, which looks very similar to the shape of the star anise. Authentic star anise is expensive and scarce in quantity, while fake star anise can be found everywhere on the hillsides. Therefore, in order to seek profits, some unscrupulous traders will mix some fake anise. However, false star anise is poisonous and may also cause symptoms such as vomiting, drooling, and sore throat after ingestion. So when buying star anise, we need to discern carefully so as not to buy fakes.
Method 1: Count the number of angles
Star anise, as the name suggests, refers to a spice that has eight horns. However, there are also variants of seven horns and nine horns, but most often, the octagonal is characterized by eight horns. In contrast, the number of horns is higher, usually between 10 and 13. Therefore, when we buy star anise, if we find that it has more than 10 or even more horns, it is likely that it is a manga disguised as star anise rather than a real star anise. During the purchase process, it is important to discern carefully so as not to buy a fake.
Method 2: Look at whether it is a right angle or a hook angle
In addition to identifying the anise by counting the number of corners, we can also look at the top of each corner. True anion, the corners are very rounded at the top, and they do not feel prickly when touched by the hand, and the corners are at right angles. On the contrary, if the top of the horn is very sharp and shaped like a hook, then this is a fake octagonal and we need to be vigilant.
Method 3: Look at the color
When buying star anise, we should pay attention to its color. A good quality star anise should be a vivid brownish-red or reddish-yellow color with a glossy finish and a full overall appearance. However, the color of false star anise is usually earthy yellow, with no luster at all, and the surface looks wrinkled. If we encounter such a fake star anise, we don't want to buy it.
Identification method 4: see if the star anise seeds are exposed
In the middle of each corner of the anise, there is a fruit. As the star anise matures, this fruit will gradually become exposed. However, due to transportation or other factors, the fruit sometimes falls out of the anise, which does not affect its quality. Conversely, if we see that the fruit of an anise is not exposed, then it may mean that it is not ripe enough and therefore its aroma is not strong. In contrast, false star anise usually does not expose the fruit, but is tightly closed together. Even if we are able to see a little bit of the fruit, it will become very shriveled. Therefore, when purchasing, we need to pay special attention to this situation to ensure that what we are buying is a real star anise.
Method 5: Smell the smell
True star anise has a rich fragrance that is mellow and pure, making it pleasant to smell. However, fake star anise often does not have this scent, or the scent is weaker. When buying star anise, we can put them on the tip of our nose and smell them, and if the fragrance is strong and pure, then these star anises are real. But if the fragrance is weak or not scented at all, then we need to be vigilant.
Some real star anise, while smelling fragrant, is mixed with some other slightly pungent smells. This smell may mean that these star anise have been smoked with sulfur. We all know that sulfur is a chemical that is used to bleach or change the color and smell of food. If the star anise we buy has such an smell, then it is better not to buy them.
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