SC - Anise seeds -some toxic, some not!!!

[BalthazarBlack at aol.com]

In a message dated 00-07-23 19:21:44 EDT, you write:

<<  
 Perhaps you could provide a bit more info on this? I ask in part because
 I'm planning to teach a class on anise confits, I don't want to poison 
anybody.
  >>

No, the aniseed we use in cooking (the one you described) is not toxic.  the 
author of that post is mistaken.  Star Anise is not toxic, either.  I don't 
know of any anise that is toxic, but evidently there is one species out there 
which is harmful (or maybe not...I haven't done the research).

Get back to cooking, Master A.  There's nothing to see here... move along.

Balthazar of Blackmoor