Ganzhi Star Anise

Product Overview

Item	Detail
Product name	Ganzhi / Dry-Branch Star Anise
Botanical name	Illicium verum Hook.f. (Schisandraceae)
Origin	China — Guangxi
Part used	Dried whole fruit with stem/branch attached (harvested with twigs)
Appearance	Blackish-red, mixed plump & slender fruits, more broken arms, mild aroma
Main use	Cost-effective braising, stewing, seasoning, food/extract processing
Shelf life	18–24 months (cool, dry, away from sunlight)

National grading rule

Type	Grade
Ganzhi（autumn）	Grade 1 / 2 / 3
Ganzhi（spring)	Grade 1 / 2
Ganzhi(mix)	uniform, not graded

Uniform-grade parameters

Parameter	Requirement
Broken rate	Not limited (typically more broken arms)
Foreign matter	≤ 2.0%
Moisture	< 12.5% (aim dry ≤ 13% for storage)
Total ash	≤ 3.0%
Volatile oil	≥ 7% (dry)

Sensory: blackish-red colour, mildly aromatic, mix of plump & slender, more broken arms, no mould, dry.

How to grade in trade

Level	Basis
Uniform standard	Grade as one uniform lot (GB), but trade splits by quality
By colour	Yellow-red Ganzhi (lower) vs darker red (higher)
By dryness	9 成干 (9-dry) vs 足干 (fully dry, sulphur-free) — fully dry = higher
By sulphur	Sulphur-free premium vs processed
By cleaning	Cleaned/screened = higher than raw with stems
By volatile oil	≥7%; stronger aroma = better value

Inspection checklist

Check	Criterion
Colour	Even blackish-red; no blackening/mould = good
Dryness	Dry, hard & crisp (hand-touch) = good; soft = high moisture risk
Foreign / stems	Fewer stones, stems, extraneous = higher
Aroma	Mild but present; no off-odour
Sulphur	No sulphur smell; SO₂-free preferred

Packing Standards

Packing	Spec	Notes
Cartons	10 kg / 20 kg	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 Loading (Estimated)

Container	Approx. load	Note
20ft (20GP)	6–7 MT	Bulky/low density; confirm by stow check
40ft (40GP)	15–24 MT	~15–16 (carton); compressed up to ~24

Storage & transport: sealed, cool & dry, ventilated; off floor/off wall; protect from rain & moisture (mould risk); never mix with toxic, odoriferous or contaminated goods.