Spring Red Star Anise

Item

Detail

Product name

Spring Red Star Anise / spring-harvest star anise

Botanical name

Illicium verum Hook. f. (Schisandraceae)

Origin

China — Guangxi

Part used

Dried ripe fruit (spring harvest), de-greened, sun/hot-air dried

Appearance

6–10 pointed petals (commonly 8), reddish-brown, star-shaped; sweet licorice-anise aroma

Main use

Braising, stewing, soup, spice blend (five-spice), baking, liqueur; food processing

Harvest note

Spring crop — smaller than Autumn Red, mid-priced

Shelf life

18–24 months (cool, dry, away from sunlight)

Parameter

Requirement

Moisture

≤ 12.5–13.5%

Volatile oil

≥ 5.0% (T/CFNA); ≥ 4.0% (Pharmacopoeia)

Total ash

≤ 3.0%

Admixture / foreign matter

≤ 1.5%

Broken

≤ 7–10%

Colour

Natural reddish-brown, no fungus

Level

Basis

By harvest timing

Mid-season Spring (large, bright red) > early / late

By size

Large, plump petals > small

By colour

Bright reddish > dull /yellowish

By dry degree

Fully dry > 95% dry

By sulphur

Sulphur-free > sulphured

By processing

De-stemmed & screened > unprocessed

By aroma / oil

Higher volatile oil (≥5%) = better

Packing

Spec

Notes

Cartons

10 kg / 20 kg

Export corrugated, PE liner

PP woven bags

25 kg / 50 kg

Food-grade, PE liner

Retail packs

250 g–1 kg

Private label available

Container

Approx. load

Note

20ft (20GP)

6.5–7 MT

Bulky (light), confirm by stow check

40ft (40HQ)

15–24 MT

7–8 kg cartons, reefer ≈ 24.3–24.9