A highly versatile spice used in a variety of different culinary purposes ranging from its use as a tea ingredient to Indian spice mixes and even liquor production, one would assume that the presence of star anise is nearly irreplaceable in practically any of these utilizations.
However, this is not entirely true, as certain situations do necessitate that star anise be replaced with a suitably similar candidate capable of substituting its various characteristics and purposes so as to allow the end product to still be made without the presence of said star anise.
The best flavor substitutes for star anise are anise seeds, cloves, fennel seeds, allspice, or dill seeds. The best odor substitutes for star anise are licorice candy, licorice, or caraway seeds.
Is Star Anise the Same as Licorice?
Despite the quite similar odor found between that of licorice herb and star anise, they are actually entirely unrelated and do not share any sort of connection save for the ability for licorice to act as an odor substitute for star anise as well as the reverse circumstance.
As such, it is quite important to be able to tell the two apart at a glance, especially in instances wherein both are in their powdered or ground form and are otherwise quite difficult to distinguish without a taste test.
Is Star Anise and Fennel the Same Thing?
Apart from the distinct visual difference between fennel and star anise, there is also the fact that star anise possesses a noticeably more intense licorice-like flavor than fennel seeds, making star anise more suitable for usage in dessert recipes and teas that may benefit from its stronger taste profile.
While it is quite possible to use the two interchangeably in the vast majority of recipes that call for one spice or the other, it is best to use whichever one the recipe calls for, as subtle differences between star anise and fennel may act as the key to elevating the flavor profile of a particular dish.
The similarity between star anise and fennel is due to the fact that they both share the chemical compound referred to as anethole, a phenylpropanoid organic compound found naturally occurring in a variety of plants as well as synthesized for the purposes of acting as a flavoring agent in commercially produced food.
What Flavor Does Star Anise Present?
The particular flavor profile imparted by star anise to a recipe is most often referred to as “licorice-like” and quite sweet, especially when compared to the entirely unrelated aniseed, of which shares much of the same chemical compound matrix that gives star anise its particular flavor.
The particular taste of star anise is usually used alongside other aromatic and sweet tasting spices such as cinnamon or fennel for the purposes of seasoning both sweet and savory dishes, as well as to impart a truly excellent aroma that brings the experience of consuming a meal to an entirely different level.
Flavor Substitutes for Star Anise
Considering the rather complex and powerful flavor imparted by star anise in whatever way it is utilized, one would assume finding a suitably similar substitute to be rather difficult, both owing to the complexity of star anise’s flavor profile as well as the fact that it is rather unique among spice ingredients.
However, this could not be less accurate, as a significant amount of spices and seeds are all more than capable of replacing the presence of star anise in a recipe, allowing for the recipe to remain the same without star anise itself being added.
Aniseed or Anise Seeds
Considered the closest possible substitute to star anise despite the lack of similarity between the two plants, anise seeds share a nearly identical flavor profile and odor to star anise due to the fact that both star anise and anise seed share the essential lipid compound of anethole, of which is responsible for said flavor and odor.
Even in terms of intensity, anise seeds and star anise are nearly identical, allowing star anise to be substituted with anise seeds in a perfect one to one ratio, as well as allowing the reverse situation to also be performed.
Anise seeds may act as an anise star replacement in practically any capacity, allowing it to be incorporated into a marinade, ground into a dry rub, or even steeped in coffee or liquor in order to impart the characteristic licorice flavor and odor to these beverages.
Cloves
Cloves may function best as a star anise substitute in recipes of the more sweet variety, or sauces and soups that require a distinctly more earthy and delicate flavor, of which is considered to be quite similar to what would normally be imparted to said recipes by star anise itself.
This is due to the particular flavor profile of cloves, which, though somewhat different in the finer notes to star anise, are nonetheless similar enough to fulfill much the same function as a seasoning and spice with very little in terms of drawbacks or any sort of flavors that may otherwise unbalance the dish’s taste profile.
Fennel Seeds
Considered the second most common candidate for star anise substitution, fennel seeds present much of the same licorice-like body of flavor and aroma despite the difference in their particular chemical compositions.
The primary drawback to using fennel seeds as star anise substitutes is the fact that they are somewhat more mild in flavor, making them better suited to the sort of recipe that does not normally require star anise and its subsequent replacement ingredient to take a main seat in said recipe’s flavor profile.
As such, fennel seeds are better incorporated as a star anise substitute in such things like liquor brewing and tea making where its more mild intensity would in fact be a benefit instead of a drawback.
Allspice
Commonly used in the same sort of cuisines and cultures that first began using star anise and anise seeds, allspice is yet another excellent star anise flavor substitute that presents certain hints of berries and fruitiness along the underbelly of its otherwise rather intense flavor.
This distinctively sweet taste profile and rather intense strength therein makes allspice capable of acting as a star anise replacement in a one to one ratio so long as the recipe in question’s flavor profile does not clash with the somewhat fruitier profile of allspice itself.
In the event that this is not the case, it is best to substitute star anise with allspice in a two to one ratio wherein every two teaspoons of star anise in its pod or ground form is equal to one teaspoon of allspice so as to avoid overpowering the dish.
Dill Seeds
Though not as intense or complex as star anise in terms of flavor profiling, dill seeds are nonetheless a possible substitute for a variety of purposes that would normally call for star anise to be used instead.
With a similarly distinct licorice flavor profile and a somewhat less noticeable odor, dill seeds are best used in soups and sauces that do not require a heavy hand in terms of the sort of flavor dill seeds must impart into the dish, allowing it to shine in the background of the recipe’s taste as a whole.
Dill seeds are best used in accordance to the particular intensity of one’s specific batch, requiring some form of taste testing be performed prior to the usage of dill seeds as a star anise substitute in cooking.
Odor Substitutes for Star Anise
Star anise’s own characteristic odor, much like its flavor profile, is known to be quite complex and intense, especially if freshly ground or subjected to the heat of many differing cooking processes.
This is most noticeable in such things like steeping star anise in tea and coffee, or directly adding it to the surface of baked goods, wherein its spicy yet sweet odor is brought to its full potential, becoming nearly indistinguishable from licorice itself.
As such, the primary way to substitute the odor of star anise is through the use of licorice and licorice derived products, as well as the occasional spice that shares similar odor attributes to both of these ingredients.
Licorice Candy
Licorice candy is primarily produced both with the natural ingredients derived from raw licorice as well as artificial flavoring compounds that bring both the flavor profile and odor profile of the candy closer to that of star anise and similar ingredients.
This by extension makes licorice candy uniquely suited to replicating the odor of star anise in dessert recipes and certain drinks that also require some form of licorice flavoring and sweetness be imparted into the recipe, such as in baked loaves or particular types of tea.
The primary drawback to using licorice candy as an odor substitute for star anise is in the fact that its flavor may be unpleasant for certain individuals, as well as the fact that this flavor is found to be rather intense, potentially overpowering whatever dish it is added to if one is not careful of the volume used.
Licorice
Also spelled liquorice or otherwise referred to as licorice root, licorice is considered sweet and bitter as well as salty and sour to the taste, all of which describe the exact flavor profile of star anise, making licorice not only an excellent odor substitute to star anise but also a near perfect replication of its particular flavors.
This primarily makes licorice perhaps the best possible substitute to the star-shaped pod spice in practically any use at all, though it may be found to truly shine in such things like baked goods or beverages where its flavor and odor compounds are brought to their full potential, possibly even eclipsing star anise in terms of complexity and intensity.
As such, if using licorice in any form to substitute star anise as either an odor or flavor substitute, it is best to use approximately half the total volume intended to be used for star anise, with an approximate ratio of two to one wherein every teaspoon of licorice is equal to two teaspoons of star anise.
Caraway Seeds
Yet another licorice flavored seed spice often confused with star anise due to the similarity in their function and flavor profile, caraway seeds are among one of the primary substitutes used in the United States and neighboring countries for star anise.
Unless purchased in their ground and powdered form, caraway seeds will likely come in the form of their dehydrated seed hulls, requiring that one grind them up or soak them in a suitably leaching fluid so as to fully extract the particular flavor compounds found in caraway seeds, better replicating the taste profile of star anise.
Caraway seeds are best used in dessert recipes or sweeter beverages wherein their somewhat more earthy and woody underbody of flavor will complement the other ingredients found in the recipe, as opposed to clash with the tastes of savory recipe ingredients.
References
1. Mamedov, Nazim A.; Egamberdieva, Dilfuza (2019). “Phytochemical Constituents and Pharmacological Effects of Licorice: A Review”. Plant and Human Health, Volume 3. Cham: Springer Publishing. pp. 1–21. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-04408-4_1. ISBN 978-3-030-04407-7. S2CID 104427400.
2. Peter (Editor), K.V. (2012). Handbook of Herbs and Spices, Volume 2. Woodhead Publishing Limited. p. 226. ISBN 978-0-85709-039-3.
3. Abir Nasır, Erdal Yabalak. (2021) Investigation of antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, chemical composition, and traditional medicinal properties of the extracts and essential oils of the Pimpinella species from a broad perspective: a review. Journal of Essential Oil Research 33:5, pages 411-426.
4. Fahlbusch, Karl-Georg; Hammerschmidt, Franz-Josef; Panten, Johannes; Pickenhagen, Wilhelm; Schatkowski, Dietmar; Bauer, Kurt; Garbe, Dorothea; Surburg, Horst. “Flavors and Fragrances”. Ullmann’s Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a11_141.
