How to distinguish the authenticity of star anise? What will happen if you put too much brine in star anise?

Star anise is a common ingredient in brine, with a unique aroma that can remove the fishy smell of meat. The appearance of star anise is also unique and very beautiful, but there is a plant that looks a bit like star anise at first glance, and some merchants use this plant to sell fakes. So how can we tell the difference?

How to distinguish the authenticity of star anise

Fake star anise generally refers to the herb Mangcao, which is poisonous but still has some uses. For example, the smoke produced by burning the herb can kill borers hidden in archives and volumes. The shikimic acid contained in the herb can be synthesized into drugs with therapeutic effects.

So how do you distinguish between real and fake star anise?

Different shapes

Real star anise looks very fat, usually with 7 to 10 corners, 8 being the most common. The corners are round and blunt, with straight tips, and the fruit is exposed. False star anise is thinner, with 11 to 13 corners. The corners are sharp and curved, like eagle hooks, and the fruit is not exposed.

Different colors

Real star anise is brown and red in color and has a shiny appearance; fake star anise is lighter in color, with a khaki yellow tint, and has little luster.

The taste is different

Real star anise tastes slightly sweet and mellow, while fake star anise tastes bitter and sour, and can make your tongue numb. It tastes more like toilet water or camphor balls.

Can pregnant women smell star anise?

Star anise is fine as long as you don't smell it every day. But if you smell it often, you can absorb some of it.

Star anise, also known as star anise, has a fragrant smell. It is pungent and warm. It has the effects of warming the yang and dispelling cold, regulating qi and relieving pain. Star anise is a medicine for regulating qi, so pregnant women should use it with caution. Moreover, if pregnant women eat too much star anise, which is a warm and hot ingredient, it is easy to consume moisture in the intestines, causing dry intestines and thus causing constipation. Constipation in pregnant women is more troublesome because they have to use a lot of force to defecate, which leads to increased abdominal pressure, which in turn compresses the fetus in the uterus, which can easily cause fetal movement disorders, premature birth, and even miscarriage and other serious consequences.

Nasal breathing absorbs the medicinal properties of star anise through the nasal mucosa. There are many tiny villi and abundant capillaries and lymphatic vessels on the nasal mucosa, which allow drugs to be absorbed through the nasal cavity. Therefore, many drugs are now administered through the nasal cavity.

However, the dose absorbed through the nasal cavity is very small compared to eating it, and is not enough to cause harm to pregnant women and fetuses.

What happens if you put too much brine in star anise?

There will be an indescribable odor.

The ratio of spices is absolutely important for a good brine. You can't just randomly grab a few spices and expect to make a good brine. That's definitely impossible. Many novice chefs make brine with a smell of Chinese medicine, which is because they put too many spices.

The general principle for adding spices to marinade is that less is better rather than more. If you want to make a good marinade you have to understand the basic properties of the marinade.

Star anise can remove fishy and other odors, add aromatic smells, adjust the taste and increase appetite. Add star anise when stewing meat, its aroma can be fully hydrolyzed and dissolved into the meat, making the meat more mellow.

When you eat star anise raw, you will feel a little bit of spiciness with a sweet aftertaste and a little bitter aftertaste. Although the star anise has a strong aroma, if you put too much, it will definitely affect the taste. Not only will the marinade turn black, but the unique aroma of the star anise is too strong and covers up the original taste of the ingredients.