Aniseed myrtle
Subtle anise flavor with a hint of green tea, ideal for infusions and seasoning; used as anise or licorice flavoring.
How to Identify aniseed myrtle
Aniseed myrtle is usually found as a finely milled green powder with a flavor and aroma that is clearly aniseed.
How to use and store aniseed myrtle
Aniseed myrtle has a shelf life of 12 months when stored as per recommendations, below 20°C and in original packaging. At home, treat it as any ohter dry herbs or spices: buy small quntities and aim to use it in a six month period.
It is used in sweet, savory dishes, and as a herbal tea, imparting a distinctive aniseed or liquorice flavor. It is gently stimulating and refreshing when used as an infusion, or in any kind of beverages and tea blends. Aniseed myrtle can be used in countless ways when cooking: sprinkle it on eggs, poultry, and seafood; use it to season rice; bake it into bread, cakes, cookies and pastries; marinate cheese, tofu or vegetables; or infuse it into sauces, custards, jellies and other soft desserts.
How to grow aniseed myrtle
It is cultivated in New South Wales, Australia in dedicated plantations.
Cooking with aniseed myrtle
For an infusion, use 1/4 teaspoon per cup of hot water.
For a quick aniseed myrtle ice cream, infuse half a teaspoon in hot milk and let it cool down. Fold into partly thawed, good quality ice cream and freeze again.
Infuse the aniseed myrtle into warm vegetable oil and use this oil to make hollandaise or mayonnaise, marinate Feta cheese, or marinate Mediterranean vegetables in it. For a hollandaise, use this infused oil instead of butter.
Add ground aniseed myrtle to bread or cake mixes. Mix aniseed myrtle into icings or whipped cream. Try an aniseed myrtle cheesecake.
Substitutions
If you don't have it, you can substitute 1 teaspoon of ground aniseed myrtle with 3/4 teaspoon of ground aniseed, or any of its substitutions.
anetholea anisata (myrtaceae) - English: aniseed myrtle - Spanish: anís australiano.
Curious facts about aniseed myrtle
Aniseed myrtle has been described as having a soft, subtle anise character with a hint of green tea. It is an energizing herb for infusing or use as a seasoning. It is considered as the Australian alternative to aniseed. Aniseed Myrtle is being used in the food, beverage and fragrance industry as an aniseed or liquorice flavoring agent
Aniseed Myrtle originated in the subtropical rainforest of the Bellinger and Nambucca valleys, in New South Wales, Australia. In the wild, the tree can reach up to 82 feet (25 m) but is not allow to reach that height when cultivated in plantations. It has oval shaped leaves, with a strong aniseed smell, and bears white flowers in the summer.