Star anise grows as dark brown pods with eight segments, each containing a pea-sized seed. This spice hails from an evergreen tree plant that is native to southern China and northeast Vietnam, although it is cultivated in countries like Laos, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines.
Star anise tastes much like standard anise seed, but slightly more bitter, which is why some chefs use it to provide a licorice flavor for some dishes.