Introduction
Illicium verum is a medium-sized evergreen tree native to northeast Vietnam and southwest China.
A spice commonly called star anise, staranise or star anise seed, Chinese star anise, or badian that closely resembles anise in flavor is obtained from the star-shaped pericarps of the fruit of I. verum which are harvested just before ripening.
Star anise oil is a highly fragrant oil used in cooking, perfumery, soaps, toothpastes, mouthwashes, and skin creams.
About 90% of the world’s star anise crop is used for extraction of shikimic acid, a chemical intermediate used in the synthesis of oseltamivir (Tamiflu).
Product Details
Blends With: Lavender, Pine, Orange, Rosewood, Clove, Cinnamon
Color: Pale yellow
Specific gravity (20ºC): 0.960 to 0.991
Optical rotation (20ºC): -2° to +2º
Refractive index (20ºC): 1.546 to 1.564
The major chemical constituents of Star Anise is Trans-anethol: 80% min
Applications
- Food use:
Its strong liquorice aroma makes it ideal for many different cooking preparations. When it comes to cooking in its native land of China and Vietnam it is part of five important spices which are widely used for cooking traditional Chinese food especially meat. While in the west Star Anise is used in food products such as fruit compotes, jams and other baking products. - Cosmetic use:
Being high fragrant oil, Star Anise Oil one of the key ingredients in perfumery, toothpastes, soaps, skin creams and mouthwashes.
Blends With: Lavender, Pine, Orange, Rosewood, Clove, Cinnamon
Production
Botanical Name: Illicium verum
Origin: Lang Son, Vietnam
Extraction Method: Steam Distilled
Appearance: Clear, Mobile Liquid
Expected Output: 20 tons per year
Maximum yield of star anise essential oil (8.56 %) could be obtained by soaking star anise at 60 ⁰C for 7 days. In contrast, extraction of essential oil at temperature of 30 ⁰C for 1 day gave minimum yield of essential oil (4.62 %). It was about 46.03 % less of extraction yield compared to the sample extracted at 60 ⁰C for 7 days.