Star anise comes from a tropical plant. The star-shaped fruit has a strong, powerful flavour similar to liquorice. It is the seeds that are used from the Mediterranean fennel plant and they are a digestive aid. Their fresh, sweet flavour is similar to that of anise. Cloves are native to Indonesia’s “Spice Islands”. They are delicately fruity and act as a tonic. Native to Sri Lanka, cinnamon has traditionally been considered worthy of monarchs thanks to its aphrodisiac properties and intense aroma. Coriander seeds are characterised by their spiced notes. Traditionally they were covered in sugar for the Italian “Carnevale” and now the word “coriandolo” refers to the confetti used at that event.