Autumn Red Star Anise

Item

Detail

Product name

Autumn Red Star Anise

Botanical name

Illicium verum Hook.f. (Schisandraceae)

Origin

China — Guangxi

Crop season

Autumn harvest

Part used

Dried ripe whole fruit

Appearance

Brownish-red to reddish-brown, plump, thick petals, strong aroma

Main use

Braising, stewing, seasoning, five-spice; TCM

Shelf life

24 months (cool, dry, away from sunlight)

Form / Grade

Hot-water, sulphur-free

Screened, carton, S-free

Old-tree premium

Grade

Berries (pcs/kg)

Broken rate (≤%)

Foreign matter (≤%)

Moisture (≤%)

Total ash (≤%)

Volatile oil (≥%)

Grade 1

≤ 850

6.0

0.5

12.5

3.0

7.5

Grade 2

850–1200

10.0

1.0

12.5

3.0

—

Grade 3

no limit

20.0

1.5

12.5

3.0

—

Level

Basis

By grade

Grade 1 / 2 / 3 by berry size (pcs/kg), broken rate & foreign matter

By size

Fewer berries per kg = larger, plumper = higher grade (≤850 pcs/kg Grade 1)

By broken rate

Lower broken = higher (≤6% Grade 1)

By sulphur

Sulphur-free (water-washed) = premium; SO₂ not detected

By moisture

≤12.5% (aim ≤12% for transit); lower = better aroma & storage

By volatile oil

≥7.5% (Grade 1); higher oil = stronger aroma = higher

Check

Criterion

Colour

Even brownish-red, no blackening = good

Petal plumpness

Thick, fleshy petals, 8 full points = good

Broken / foreign

Few broken arms, stems & foreign matter = higher

Aroma

Strong, sweet-spicy; chew → sweet aftertaste = good

Sulphur

No sulphur smell; SO₂-free premium

Packing

Spec

Notes

Cartons

10 kg / 20 kg

Strong export corrugated carton

PP woven bags

25 kg / 50 kg

With inner PE food-grade liner

Retail bags

500 g–5 kg

Private label available

Container

Approx. load

Note

20ft (20GP)

6–7 MT

Bulky (low density); confirm by stow check

40ft (40GP)

15–24 MT

~15.5 (carton); up to ~24 (7/8 kg carton)