Illicium verum, commonly called star anise, or Chinese star anise is a spice that closely resembles anise in flavor. [Photo/CFP]

The news that a PHD candidate's graduation thesis is on how star anise, a Chinese spice, makes braised chicken more tasty, has become an Internet sensation.

Sun Lingxia, 34, passed her thesis defense and got her PHD diploma on animal biology from Shanxi Normal University on Nov 28, Southern Metropolis Daily reported.

She said the thesis does a quantitative analysis on star anise's effect on braised chicken, and the applied research can contribute to mass production of braised chicken.

Sun said she braised a large number of chicken thighs while doing the research. Some web users said it's the most tasty research ever.