Benefits of anise: a natural fat burning food

Find out the incredible benefits of anise for weight loss, how best to prepare it, and how much to use to get the maximum benefit from anise, one of nature’s incredible fat-burning foods. Anise, also known as sweet anise and cumin, is classified as a vegetable and as a herb; it is part of the same family where fennel, dill, caraway and cumin are found. The leaves, seeds, and flowers of anise can be added to food, as well as different medications. The anise plant is tall and has small feathery green leaves. The plant has white flowers and its fruit, which is often referred to as a seed, has the appearance of a ribbed seed. Ripe anise seeds are greenish-brown or greenish-gray in color. Anise has a fennel-like flavor with a hint of licorice.

Benefits of anise to fight fat

The medicinal qualities of anise have been known to man since the ancient Egyptians and Romans. Anise aids the body’s digestion and fat metabolism. In the Middle East, India, and some parts of Europe, anise is used as a breath freshener. Acting as a mild expectorant, you will often find anise in cough drops and cough medicine. It also has a diuretic effect, allowing the body to eliminate toxins. Anise also acts as an antiseptic or antispasmodic. The anise plant harbors some volatile oils, such as: anethole, methylchavicol, and terpenes, furanocoumarins, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, rutin, and sterols. Anise is also known to help a person regain balance and reduce stress and tension.

Prepare food with anise

Bakers make good use of anise seeds, which are used to bake different types of cookies, including biscotti or springerle. You can also use them to bake breads or make sausages. Anise seeds are used to flavor curries and hoisin, and can also be the base for herbal teas. As with any other infusion, to create an aniseed herbal tea, pour a cup of boiling water over the anise and let it steep for 5 minutes. Then strain the liquid and drink it. Once the plant is harvested, the anise seeds should be dried and then stored in a cool, dark place.

Anise seeds are generally available in Indian spice stores and in the spice section of many grocery stores. Anise seeds are frequently used in Chinese cuisine, where they are used to flavor poultry and to prepare foods that are supposed to simmer for a long time. You will also find anise seeds in Chinese soups and bases. Star anise, a Chinese spice, is frequently used in place of anise. More powerful than regular anise, it only uses about 1/3 of this spice. Distilled anise oils are used to flavor licorice.

How much to use

The amount of anise seeds you need depends on what you are trying to cook. Keep in mind that you really only need a little bit to get the job done. The amount needed to prepare infusions depends on the form of anise you use.

The following serves as a general rule of thumb:

When using fresh plant parts, you will need ¼ cup.

When using dried anise, you need 2 tbsp.

When using bark or seeds, use one tablespoon of bark and double the seed.