Chakri phool
Star anise, the eight-pointed seed pod that gives a licorice scent to biryani, pho and five-spice.
Also: star anise, badian, anasphal, bajiya
Chakri phool, wheel flower in Hindi, is star anise, the dried fruit of Illicium verum, an evergreen tree of southern China and northern Vietnam. Its eight points each carry a glossy seed. The pod owes its sweet, licorice smell to anethole, the same compound found in fennel and anise, though the plants are unrelated. It flavours Chinese braises, Vietnamese pho broth, Indian biryani and garam masala in some regions, and it is a source of shikimic acid used in manufacturing. Use sparingly: one or two stars will flavour an entire pot, and a heavy hand makes a dish taste medicinal.