Sep 17, 2026·1 min read·Graded Spanish · word-by-word audio
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El anís estrellado es una especia muy conocida en la cocina asiática. Tiene forma de estrella y un sabor dulce que recuerda al regaliz. Se usa entero en pequeñas bolsitas junto a la canela, el clavo y el cardamomo. Su origen está en China y Vietnam, y su aroma aparece en muchas mezclas de especias, como las cinco especias chinas o el garam masala indio.
Algunos estudios científicos han analizado las propiedades del anís estrellado. Una revisión de 2023 señala que tiene actividad antioxidante, antimicrobiana y antiinflamatoria. Sin embargo, muchos resultados vienen de estudios de laboratorio con extractos o aceites esenciales. Por eso, no se deben esperar los mismos efectos de una infusión casera.
Para disfrutar del anís estrellado en infusión, hay combinaciones muy sencillas. Con limón, es ideal para el dolor de garganta. Con jengibre, ayuda con las digestiones lentas. Con canela, tiene un sabor cálido y mejora el malestar estomacal. Con hinojo, es recomendable para combatir los gases. Solo hay que hervir agua y dejar las especias en reposo unos minutos.
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Watch out, English speaker
English speakers often want to translate 'se usa' as 'it is used' and then add 'by someone'—but Spanish deliberately leaves the agent out. If you say 'Se usa entero por la gente,' it sounds unnatural; just say 'Se usa entero.' Also, don't confuse this passive 'se' with the reflexive 'se' (e.g., 'se lava' = he washes himself).
In English, we say 'is due to' and keep the same word order: 'Its sweet flavor is due to trans-anethol.' In Spanish, 'deberse a' works differently: the subject is the result, and 'a' introduces the cause. A common mistake is saying 'Se debe de al trans-anetol' or 'Se debe por el trans-anetol'—both wrong. Remember: 'deberse a' + noun, no 'de' after 'deber' unless you mean 'must' (deber de).
Key vocabulary
anís estrelladom.
star anise (spice)
“El anís estrellado es una especia muy conocida.”— Star anise is a very well-known spice.
Pattern infusión de anís estrellado star anise tea
Compare anís de estrella star anise
Plural: anises estrellados
💡 Named for its star-like shape; estrellado means 'star-shaped'.
especiaf.
spice
“Su aroma aparece en muchas mezclas de especias.”— Its aroma appears in many spice blends.
Pattern mezcla de especias spice blend
Compare condimento seasoning
Plural: especias
💡 From Latin species, originally meaning 'kind'.
regalizm.
licorice
“Tiene un sabor dulce que recuerda al regaliz.”— It has a sweet flavor that reminds you of licorice.
Pattern sabor a regaliz licorice flavor
Compare orozuz licorice
Plural: regalices
💡 Licorice is a plant whose root is sweet and often used in candy.
digestivoadj.
digestive
“Se asocia con el alivio de molestias digestivas.”— It is associated with the relief of digestive discomfort.
Pattern molestias digestivas digestive discomfort
Compare estomacal stomach-related
Feminine: digestiva; plural: digestivos
💡 Shares the same root as digestión (digestion), making it easy to remember.
trans-anetolm.
trans-anethol
“Su sabor se debe al trans-anetol.”— Its flavor is due to trans-anethol.
Pattern aceite esencial de trans-anetol trans-anethole essential oil
Compare anetol anethole
No plural change
💡 Chemical term; trans- means 'trans', and anetol comes from anís (anise).
antioxidanteadj.
antioxidant
“Tiene actividad antioxidante.”— It has antioxidant activity.
💡 anti- means 'anti', and oxidante means 'oxidizing'.
infusiónf.
infusion, herbal tea
“Para disfrutar del anís estrellado en infusión, hay combinaciones sencillas.”— To enjoy star anise as an infusion, there are simple combinations.
Pattern infusión de hierbas herbal tea
Compare té tea
Plural: infusiones
💡 From Latin infusio, meaning 'infusion', referring to steeping in hot water.
jengibrem.
ginger
“Con jengibre, ayuda con las digestiones lentas.”— With ginger, it helps with slow digestion.
Pattern raíz de jengibre ginger root
Compare kion ginger (South America)
No plural change
💡 From Latin zingiber, cognate with English ginger.
hinojom.
fennel
“Con hinojo, es recomendable para combatir los gases.”— With fennel, it is recommended for fighting gas.
Pattern semillas de hinojo fennel seeds
Compare anís anise
Plural: hinojos
💡 Note that h is silent, pronounced 'inojo'.
hervirv.
to boil
“Solo hay que hervir agua.”— You only have to boil water.
Pattern hervir agua boil water
Compare cocer cook
Present: hiervo, hierves, hierve...
💡 e→ie stem-changing verb, similar to entender.
Grammar spotlight
Passive voice: se + third-person verb
A2
In Spanish, 'se + third-person verb' is commonly used to express the passive voice without emphasizing the agent. For example: Se usa entero. (It is used whole.)
“Se usa entero en pequeñas bolsitas.”— It is usually used whole in small bags.
⚠️ Don't confuse it with reflexive verbs; here 'se' does not mean 'oneself'.
Cause adverbial: deberse a
B1
'Debererse a' means 'to be due to' and is used to explain the cause. The subject is usually the result, and 'a' is followed by the cause.
“Su sabor dulce se debe al trans-anetol.”— Its sweet flavor is due to trans-anethole.
⚠️ Note that 'deberse' is a reflexive verb and must agree with the subject.
Sentence patterns to steal
Tiene forma de estrella y un sabor dulce que recuerda al regaliz.
It has the shape of a star and a sweet flavor that reminds one of licorice.
Tiene forma de + noun + y un sabor que recuerda a + nounYou can replace the shape and flavor descriptions, e.g., Tiene forma de corazón y un sabor que recuerda a la miel.
Se asocia con el alivio de molestias digestivas.
It is associated with the relief of digestive discomfort.
Se asocia con + nounYou can replace the associated thing, e.g., Se asocia con la buena suerte.
Por eso, no se deben esperar los mismos efectos de una infusión casera.
Therefore, one should not expect the same effects from a homemade infusion.
Por eso, no se deben esperar + noun + de + nounYou can replace what is expected, e.g., no se deben esperar resultados inmediatos.
Para disfrutar del anís estrellado en infusión, hay combinaciones muy sencillas.
To enjoy star anise as an infusion, there are very simple combinations.
Para + infinitive, hay + nounYou can replace the purpose and what exists, e.g., Para mejorar la digestión, hay remedios naturales.
Solo hay que hervir agua y dejar las especias en reposo unos minutos.
You just have to boil water and let the spices steep for a few minutes.
Solo hay que + infinitive + y + infinitiveYou can replace the two consecutive actions, e.g., Solo hay que cortar las verduras y añadirlas a la sopa.
The Role of Star Anise in Asian Cuisine
Star anise is one of the key ingredients in Chinese five-spice powder and is also common in Indian garam masala and Moroccan spice blends. Its sweet flavor and aroma can neutralize the gamey smell of meat, so it is often used in braised dishes and stews. In Vietnam, star anise is also a key spice in the broth for pho.