The emerging native food industry will have benefits to all; from the growers to the end users.
Today my focus is on Aniseed myrtle "Backhousia anisata", an aniseed flavoured herb with a fresh eucalypt after taste.
It is related to the ever-popular lemon myrtle and is grown in the rainforest areas of eastern Australia. The leaf is used either fresh or dried, the latter being ground to a fine powder.
Tests done in September 2009 by RIRDC (Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation) a division of the Australian government have found that aniseed myrtle has a superior antioxidant capacity, which gives us protection from oxidative stress and helps in the anti-aging process.
High in Vitamin C, E and folate, also chlorophyll a and b; which is the major pigment present in plants, also plays a vital role in reducing oxidative stress in the human body.
It has high levels of lutein, a compound important in the role of eye health. It contains high levels of zinc, calcium and evaluated as very high in magnesium. The samples of aniseed myrtle were evaluated in dried form.
So how to use this in your cooking....below is an extremely simple recipe I use to put on salad greens.....the comments that I get are positive and I've had a number of people say to me what's in it" Whilst they don't detect the aniseed taste in the first instance they do make the comment that there is something "soft" in it....and go back for more...this is a subtle entry to the world of using aniseed myrtle. Use it instead of Star Anise or fennel in your cooking.
Aniseed myrtle salad dressing
1 teaspoon Aniseed Myrtle
2 tablespoons of sweet and sour sauce
2 tablespoons of lemon juice
1 tablespoon of fish sauce
Mix all together and mix into your salad
SPECIAL OFFER....receive a 10g sample bag FREE (that's about tablespoon full) if you sign on for my "very newsworthy" newsletter and also send me an email requesting the aniseed myrtle offer. If you've already signed on just send me an email requesting the sample.
for more information on the health benefits of our native foods, including Aniseed myrtle, go to
