Star anise
Star anise suppliers and sourcing guide
Star anise is the dried, star-shaped fruit of Illicium verum, an evergreen tree grown mainly in southern China and Vietnam. Fruits are picked before they ripen fully and dried until red-brown; each point holds a glossy seed. Its flavor comes mostly from trans-anethole, and it is also a main source for distilling anethole-rich star anise oil. Brands buy whole stars, broken pieces or ground spice for blends, teas, sauces and baked goods.
- Also known as
- Illicium verum · Chinese star anise · Badian · Star aniseed
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of star anise
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Whole stars
Intact eight-pointed fruits graded by size, color and percentage of whole pieces; spring and autumn crops differ.
Broken and ground
Broken pieces at a lower price and ground spice for blends.
Star anise oil
Steam-distilled oil standardized for trans-anethole.
Organic
Certified organic star anise from a smaller number of suppliers.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Species identity
- Identity by macroscopy, microscopy and HPLC or LC-MS/MS screens for anisatin, to rule out Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum).
- Volatile oil
- Volatile oil by steam distillation; anethole by GC for oil.
- Moisture
- Moisture by distillation or loss on drying.
- Total and acid-insoluble ash
- Ash by gravimetry; acid-insoluble ash measures sand and soil and is the usual cleanliness check for ground star anise.
- Microbiology
- Total plate count, yeast and mold, coliforms or E. coli, and Salmonella; raw spices commonly carry high counts, so state whether the lot was steam-treated or otherwise treated.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Store star anise in sealed, lined bags or containers in a cool, dry, dark area off the floor; heat, light and air drive off volatile oil, and damp storage invites mold and insects. Whole stars keep longer than ground spice. Shelf life is set by the supplier specification, and volatile oil and micro are the usual retests for older stock.
Lots and expiry dates
Volatile oil and appearance vary by crop and origin, so record both, together with the species identity result and the supplier statement of species, for every lot.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 182.10 lists star anise (Illicium verum) among spices and other natural seasonings and flavorings that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)FDA's Compliance Policy Guide 525.750 describes star aniseed as the dried, ripe fruit of Illicium verum, with anethole as its principal active ingredient.
Source: fda.gov (opens in a new tab)In a September 10, 2003 advisory, FDA told the public not to consume "teas" brewed from star anise and said Chinese star anise (Illicium verum), which it considers GRAS, may contain Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum), which it described as toxic and for decorative use only.
Source: fda.gov (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Star anise suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking star anise suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell star anise? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of star anise can brands buy?
Common forms include whole stars, broken and ground, star anise oil and organic. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for star anise include?
Expect species identity, volatile oil, moisture, total and acid-insoluble ash and microbiology, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should star anise be stored?
Store star anise in sealed, lined bags or containers in a cool, dry, dark area off the floor; heat, light and air drive off volatile oil, and damp storage invites mold and insects. Whole stars keep longer than ground spice. Shelf life is set by the supplier specification, and volatile oil and micro are the usual retests for older stock.
What is the regulatory status of star anise?
21 CFR 182.10 lists star anise (Illicium verum) among spices and other natural seasonings and flavorings that are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for their intended use. FDA's Compliance Policy Guide 525.750 describes star aniseed as the dried, ripe fruit of Illicium verum, with anethole as its principal active ingredient. In a September 10, 2003 advisory, FDA told the public not to consume "teas" brewed from star anise and said Chinese star anise (Illicium verum), which it considers GRAS, may contain Japanese star anise (Illicium anisatum), which it described as toxic and for decorative use only.
More flavors, spices and essential oils
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- Vanilla beansVanilla planifolia · Vanilla tahitensis
- Vanillin4-Hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde · Vanillic aldehyde
- Ethyl vanillin3-Ethoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde · Bourbonal
- Natural flavorsNatural flavoring · Natural flavour
- Artificial flavorsArtificial flavoring · Synthetic flavors
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- NutmegMyristica fragrans · Nutmeg seed
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- CardamomElettaria cardamomum · Green cardamom
- Black pepperPiper nigrum · Peppercorns
- Cayenne pepperCapsicum annuum · Capsicum frutescens
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