Best Chinese Star Anise of 2025

"I find this whole star anise from The Spice Way to be excellent! The strong and fresh aroma adds a wonderful depth of flavor to my cooking. I'm truly impressed with the quality of the spice, which consists of whole, unbroken pieces that smell amazing. It's been a fantastic addition to my spice cabinet, and I highly recommend it for authentic star anise."

"I received the boxed foil-package Star of Anise through Amazon Prime and was excited to use them in my holiday simmer pot gifts. Thankfully, they arrived in excellent condition with mostly whole stars. I tested one today in a simmer pot, and it's very aromatic! This has become a new staple in my regular recipe, making a pleasant difference with just one star. I’m very happy with this product and will definitely buy from this brand again."

"While I had hoped for whole pieces, most of the star anise arrived broken into pieces. However, they are fresh and usable in my cooking, so I can still make the most of them."

"I really love the great scent and the quality of this product. It feels like a great value!"

"The spices arrived fresh and were sealed well. I appreciate the fast shipping!"

"The pods are thick and meaty, but I'm a bit concerned about the pesticides and chemicals in them. I'm looking forward to trying a fast to see how it helps my breathing."

"I found it hard to find anise stars in stores, but when this arrived, I could smell it through the bag. The aroma was fantastic! I left it on the table to freshen the air, and guests thought I was baking. It's a great air freshener! Great quality, great price; I'll definitely buy again!"

"I bought these for soups and teas, and was thrilled with the quantity and quality. They were fresh and flavorful, and their appearance was perfect. I'm really glad I chose this and will certainly purchase again!"

"I absolutely love this product! It adds great flavor to everything, and my home smells fabulous. The price was reasonable, and it arrived quickly. I’ll definitely buy this again!"

"I appreciate the resealable bag that keeps the anise fresh for longer. Upon opening, I was welcomed by a strong, aromatic scent that confirmed its quality. I mainly use the star anise in my homemade hotpot, which has become a tradition during colder months. Adding a couple of these pods into the broth delivers a subtle yet distinct flavor that beautifully complements the meats and veggies without being overpowering."

"I absolutely love that the star anise comes whole and not crushed. They are perfect for my cooking needs!"

"This spice is a fantastic discovery for me! It adds so much to various dishes and tastes delicious while also being beneficial for health. I make a delightful lemon ginger tea with it, and the flavor is fresh and distinctly licorice."

“I find Kah's Journey Star Anise to be a superb addition to my kitchen. The rich licorice aroma enhances both sweet and savory dishes beautifully. I've used it in my marinades for roast pork and BBQ ribs, and the results are impressive. It truly elevates the flavors.”

“I primarily use these star anise pods as a cocktail garnish. They smell great and look visually appealing, as most are intact. With a full pound, I have plenty to last. I would definitely purchase from this vendor again.”

“I was excited to use these as a dessert garnish, but I found that most of them were broken and shriveled. They wouldn’t have looked appealing as a garnish, which was disappointing.”

“I've been using star anise for a herbal brew every morning. After trying several brands, I found that this one has quality stars! I highly recommend it. Next, I'm going to try their cloves.”

“My anise star pods were quite large. I typically use 5 for a pot of tea, but I plan to use only 4 next time. I love to add a cinnamon stick and some ground black pepper for a great aroma. Since I enjoy my tea sweet, I also add a stevia packet.”

“Whether for incense or consumption (like soups or tea), you will absolutely love this product! The quality and purity are unmatched! I highly recommend both the product and the seller!”

"I love adding these to stovetop potpourri bags. They really enhance the scent and look beautiful!"

"This is a favorite treat for my bird. It's a great value and a very nice product!"

"I was really let down. The star anise had a lot of black color and some white spots inside the seed pods."

"For the price, these are amazing! They have a strong aroma! I was surprised that very few were broken, so if you’re looking for whole star anise, these are definitely the best bet!"

"I bought these to assist with my milk production. I used a handful for each pot, and I still have plenty left in the container. The flavor is great!"

"These pods are hard to find where I live, but I was delighted that most of them were whole pods. They have an incredible smell and work well in various dishes, including Asian soups. Just be cautious not to overdo it, as one or two go a long way!"

"I bought this anise to enhance my Christmas centerpiece. It brought the holiday fragrance I was aiming for! The quality was great, and it arrived right on time. I would highly recommend and definitely purchase again."

"These were perfect for my holiday cocktails! I used them as garnish, and they added a festive touch to my drinks."

"I needed Star Anise for spice bags and struggled to find a decent-priced option until I found this. The order was delivered on schedule and the spices are fresh and aromatic. For the price, it was a very good buy."

"I typically buy spices at the grocery store, and a small 2 or 3-ounce pouch of Star Anise costs over $10. However, the 1-pound bag I received from Frontier Co-op exceeded my expectations. It's filled with large, whole star anise that will enhance my Oatmeal spice cookies, Gingerbread, and many other dishes. The aroma is simply amazing!"

"I’m so impressed with my order! The delivery was fast, and the freshness blew me away. I use this star anise in teas, tinctures, and even stovetop potpourri. Almost the entire package consists of whole stars, and I'm extremely pleased with this company. As long as they're around, I'll keep coming back!"

"The 1 lb bag of Star Anise I purchased is fantastic! It’s perfect for making tea and has a delightful anise flavor. The size is generous enough for me to share with friends and family. I’ll definitely buy this again!"