Star Anise

STAR ANISE

By DarEll T. Weist

398 Words

It was early evening in late November and raining as usual in the West End of London. My wife, Diane and I had just finished a satisfying meal of Steak and Ale Pie accompanied by a pint at a local pub. We were walking to the one of the many theatres in the West End to see once again Les Miserables for at least the 10^th time. 

Since it as late November my mind was on the ingredients used in baking my family's traditional Christmas Cookie called Pepper Nuts or Pfeffernuse.  The major spice and one of the most elusive ingredients is Star Anise.  It grows on the steppes of Russian where my German ancestors lived for a century and also grows in many places in China. Occasionally I will find it in the United States but often very poor quality. London's Chinatown is just beside the end of the West End. In our walk to the theater we passed a Chinese Herb Shop.  I said to Diane "I wonder if they might have Star Anise?" 

We entered the shop and I approached a young Chinese lady and asked whether they had Star Anise?   Her eyes opened wide and she said, 'Asian Bird Flu,' I said, "Pardon me I do not understand. "'Asian Bird Flu!'  Star Anise is very good for 'Asian Bird Flu.'"  I thought that she was trying to sell me something which I did not want and so I said again, "Do you have Star Anise?"  She said, "Oh yes but in our other shop. We will get it for you now.  Star Anise very good for you, if you eat it you will never get 'Asian Bird Flu.'"   In a couple of minutes the Star Anise appeared smelling very fragrant and fresh.  The young lady said, "Good heath to you, you no get 'Asian Bird Flu' now."

When I got back to California I discovered that the young lady was right. One of the ingredients of Taniflu is Star Anise.  So just before Christmas I made my 250+ cookie recipe to give away to my family. When I gave them their cookies this year I told them that they would all be protected against 'Asian Bird Flu.'   I would have never known this marvelous fact except for the encounter with a young Chinese lady in London.