Star anise is not the same as fennel, although they have a similar licorice flavor. Star anise is milder in flavor than fennel seeds. It also has a slight spice to it, similar to that of cinnamon. Due to the milder flavor, star anise is popular in sweet and savory cuisine. It’s used in wine mulling, and is often associated with Christmas. The lighter flavor works well alongside cinnamon and nutmeg where aniseed would over power. It also features in many curry recipes, often in the pods. Star anise comes in either large star shaped pods (hence the name), or it can be ground into a powder. The flavoring of fennel seeds is much more powerful, which is why some prefer to replace it with star anise. Fennel seeds can be used in sweet dishes, but they’re more commonly added to savory foods.