1. Prepare the peaches: Bring a pot of water to a boil and score an “X” on the bottom of each peach. Place the peaches in the boiling water for about 30 seconds, then remove them and immediately transfer to a bowl of ice water. Peel off the skins and discard. Cut the peaches in half, remove the pits, and roughly chop the flesh.
2. Create the syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine the water, sugar, lemon juice, and star anise pods. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally until the sugar has completely dissolved. Let it simmer for an additional 5 minutes to infuse the syrup with the star anise flavour.
3. Infuse the peaches: Add the chopped peaches to the saucepan with the syrup. Stir well to ensure the peaches are fully coated. Allow the mixture to simmer for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peaches have softened.
4. Remove star anise and blend: Remove the saucepan from the heat and discard the star anise pods. Allow the peach mixture to cool slightly. Transfer the mixture to a blender and blend until smooth and creamy.
5. Chill and freeze: Pour the blended mixture into a shallow, freezer-safe container. Cover the container and place it in the freezer for at least 4 hours, or until the sorbet is firm.
6. Serve: Once the sorbet has frozen, scoop it into serving bowls or cones. Garnish with a fresh peach slice and a sprinkle of ground star anise, if desired. Enjoy the cool, fruity flavours of summer with the delightful twist of star anise.

Note: If the sorbet becomes too firm after freezing, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes to soften before serving.

Cooking times are approximate and may vary depending on the size and ripeness of the peaches.