Spice
Star Anise
Urdu/Hindi: Badiyan ka Phool
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Also known as: anise star, Chinese anise
Star anise is a Mughal-era import that has become deeply embedded in Pakistani biryani masala. A single pod in the oil at the start of cooking is enough to perfume an entire pot of rice. In KP and northern Pakistani cooking it appears in kabab marinades for an unexpected sweetness. It should always be used whole — ground star anise turns bitter and medicinal very quickly.