Star anise is widely used in Indian cuisine where it is a major component of garam masala spice mix. It is used in biryani and masala chai all over the Indian subcontinent. Star anise enhances the flavour of meat. Apart from its use in sweetmeats and confectionery, it combines especially well with meat and poultry. In more liberal amounts, star anise can be notoriously overpowering, but that only reinforces its culinary credentials.