Comments on: La badiane – Star Anise

By: Scott

Scott — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 23:56:37 +0000

Believe it or not – I am allergic to Star Anise, and I’m Chinese >.<

My first food allergy was Peking Duck (made w/ Star Anise) made me broke out w/ Hives when I was maybe 10 years old. Since then, I’d stay away from all food w/ Star Anise (lots of meat stews, Chinese food dishes) — and have been for over 30 years. I don’t have Peanut / Sesame / Soy / Wheat allergy, but I seem to have recently developed sensitivity to Roasted Cashews.

So to answer your question, there is positive proof that one can be allergic to Star Anise.

By: faruq

faruq — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 19:45:36 +0000

I quite enjoyed a mild sweetened star aniseed drink during my last visit to Marrakech & I have brought a packet home. For best results, I was told to use 2 stars for 1/2 litre of boiled water & to let it brew for 4/5 minutes.

By: Louise Butt

Louise Butt — Sat, 25 Feb 2006 11:58:35 +0000

I have a child who is very allergic and has sesame seed allergy. Is star anise known to cause food allergy. Is it the fruit or the seed which is used in cooking. Please help – one of his favourite foods now has star anise in. Many thanks.

By: Béa

Béa — Tue, 10 Jan 2006 13:50:14 +0000

Hi Keiko,

Thanks for the compliment, I am practicing a lot, hence cooking a lot too ahahah ! . A lot of room for improvement still. Nothing compared to your amazing shots I have to say!

Hi Oliver,

I forgot to mention, do you have a good Indian recipe to share with star anise? I am curious!

Merci

Bea

By: keiko

keiko — Tue, 10 Jan 2006 01:56:25 +0000

happy belated new year, Bea – your pictures are absolutely gorgeous!

By: Béa

Béa — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 13:45:14 +0000

Thanks for your nice comments all.

Yes yes, I like food shooting and there is a ton of improvement for me to achieve so the only way is to practice!

Kudzu, do you get this allergy just by smelling the spice or eating it? Was is the Chinese kind? I know my brother got sick once because the biscuits he ate had too much star anise.

Ivonne, check this entry for the how about home made yogurt and let me know if you are successful.
http://www.latartinegourmande.com/2005/12/06/homemade-yogurts-as-the-most-exquisite-dessert/

Bea

By: Kudzu

Kudzu — Mon, 09 Jan 2006 02:21:26 +0000

Alas, I can’t abide star anise. It’s an almost visceral reaction. I’m led to wonder why this is true of specific flavors for specific people. A friend cannot come near fresh coriander, another reacts in the same way to citron. Doesn’t mean we cannot eat them without allergic reactions, it’s more of a creepy …distaste. Any medical feedback on these problems?

By: flo

flo — Sun, 08 Jan 2006 18:20:36 +0000

magnifiques photos! j’en suis bouche bée!

By: sam

sam — Sun, 08 Jan 2006 17:02:13 +0000

look at you go girl!
great looking photographs. (Have you been practising : ) ???

By: Oliver

Oliver — Sun, 08 Jan 2006 16:45:57 +0000

Hi Bea, Star anise is such a wonderful spice to use and it seems either people love it or they hate it – I usually use it for my Indian recipes/currys and have caught myself adding too much, which in combination with slightly roasting the spices, can really impact the dish.

Happy -belated- New Year you, too!