Star anise delivers bold, licorice-like warmth with a gentle tingling sensation on the palate. A defining ingredient in pho and other slow-simmered broths, its flavor intensifies the longer it cooks. For balanced results, remove the pods after about 15 minutes to prevent the broth from becoming overly spiced. Beyond savory applications, whole pods can be used to infuse poached fruits, syrups, and baked goods with aromatic depth. Broken pieces vary in size from nearly whole stars to individual points but offer the same robust flavor and are well suited for stocks, teas, and spice blends.