Premium Star Anise: High Quality Spice from Vietnam

We are HAVIGO, a business that specializes in exporting agricultural products. We have been exporting premium spice products, including star anise, at the most competitive price on the market. Let’s explore one of our top-selling spices in this post: premium star anise.

1. Vietnam – The second biggest Star Anise supplier

As the world’s second-largest producer, Vietnam plays a major role in the star anise export market. About 6,000 metric tons of this fragrant spice are produced in Vietnam each year. This robust production is a result of Vietnam’s favorable climate and soil conditions. 

In addition to its unique flavor, star anise offers many health benefits. It is a popular ingredient in traditional medicine and cooking due to its licorice-like flavor and possible health advantages. For years, Vietnam exported star anise to various destinations, including India, the United States, China, and several European nations. 

2. Star Anise cultivation in Vietnam

Farmers seek out regions between 300 and 700 meters above sea level because star anise grows best in cool, humid climates. As a result of their favorable circumstances, the provinces of Lang Son and Cao Bang are excellent sites. The quality of star anise actually improves with a colder climate. 

First, in order to provide the young trees with much-needed moisture, farmers plant in the spring or during the rainy season. They usually plant seeds taken from mature trees, which are 20 to 40 years old. The new trees need much careful attention after they are planted. Therefore, farmers must maintain healthy soil moisture levels while providing enough water and sunlight. Fertilizer is even used by some farmers to speed up the growth of their star anise trees. 

Harvesting Star Anise – Treasure of the North Mountain

After 4 – 7 years of growth, the star anise trees begin to bear fruit. The key to a successful harvest lies in timing. Normally, anise flowers have 6 – 8 petals, arranged in a star shape with a diameter of 2.5 – 3cm. Each petal carries a small, smooth egg-shaped seed inside. Star anise fruits are ready for picking when the individual pods on the star-shaped clusters start to split open.

Drying Anise Fruit

Once harvested, the fruits undergo a period of sun-drying. This crucial step reduces moisture content and prevents spoilage, ensuring the long-lasting quality of the spice. 

Anise fruits are dried by farmers for a few days until the moisture content reduces to 13%. The fruits take on the shape of stars and turn reddish brown when they are sufficiently dry. To get rid of all the admixture, people then put dried anise flowers into the machine. Customers have the option to remove the star anise stem at their request. The star anise is then incubated for extended preservation. Just a tiny percentage is turned into essential oils. 

3. Premium Spring Star Anise from Vietnam

People harvest spring star anise (during the spring months (March to April). People also call spring star anise as Dried anise type II (or Four-quarter anise). This kind of star anise has the following characteristics.

• Size: It is typically smaller and more slender than the autumn star anise. Anise petal length is from 2 – 2.5cm (accounting for 85% of the total quantity).
• Color: It has a darker, richer color than its autumn one.
• Flavor: Offers milder flavor due to lower oil content than autumn anise.
• Price: Spring star anise is cheaper than autumn star anise due to its quality.

Specifications of star anise provided by HAVIGO

• Place of Origin: Lang Son, Vietnam
• Size: 2 cm (80% up)
• Taste: Sweet, Tasty
• Color: Natural
• Moisture: 13% Max
• Admixture: 1% Max
• Broken: 5% Max
• Certificate: ISO, HACCP, BRC
• Packing: 10kg/PCV/carton box

4. Premium Autumn Star Anise from Vietnam

The farmers often harvest autumn star anise during the autumn months (August to November). Autumn star anise also has other names Dried anise type I (or Season anise). Autumn star anise exhibits the following characteristics:

• Size: Compared to spring star anise, autumn star anise tends to be larger and more robust. Anise petal length above 2.5cm (accounting for 80% of the total quantity).
• Color: It is often lighter and paler than spring star anise.
• Flavor: Star anise type I contains more oil content, therefore, it is more flavorful than spring one.
• Price: As mentioned above, this kind of star anise is more premium and more expensive than the four-quarter one.

Specifications of star anise provided by HAVIGO

• Place of Origin: Lang Son, Vietnam
• Size: 2.5 cm (80% up)
• Taste: Sweet, Tasty
• Color: Natural
• Moisture: 13% Max
• Admixture: 1% Max
• Broken: 5% Max
• Certificate: ISO, HACCP, BRC
• Packing: 10kg/PCV/carton box

5. What is Broken Star Anise?

Star anise fruits are usually harvested manually. However, some fruits may fall naturally, resulting in less freshness than when harvested directly. While the quality of fallen fruits may not vary significantly, they frequently exhibit distinct color and shape characteristics. Broken star anise frequently has a darker color and a broken shape. However, it is easier to process into powder. 

These broken star anise, while less visually appealing, still have the essential flavor and aroma of star anise. These naturally fallen star anise fruits may not meet the same quality standards as harvested ones, especially when dried. As a result, they cost less than whole star anise.  

Specifications of broken star anise

• Place of origin: Lang Son, Vietnam
• Size: Not in uniform
• Taste: Sweet, licorice-like flavor
• Color: Natural dark brown
• Moisture: 13.5% max
• Admixture: 2% max
• Packing: 10kg/PCV/carton box

6. Buying tips for Vietnam Anise

Star anise, with its distinctive star shape and sweet, licorice-like flavor, is a famous spice in many cuisines worldwide. While it’s available in various forms, Vietnamese star anise often has a superior quality due to its unique terroir. Using high-quality star anise can significantly elevate the taste of your dishes.

High-quality star anise has distinct characteristics. The stars should be whole and unbroken, with a consistent color and size. The aroma is crucial. It should have a strong, sweet, licorice-like scent that indicates high quality. When you touch the star anise, it should be firm and dry. Avoid anise that is soft or pliable. Check each star for cracks, blemishes, or discoloration. A dull or musty odor is a warning sign. Expect a pungent, sweet flavor with a subtle bitterness. All of the factors listed above are present in high-quality Vietnamese star anise. 

Be wary of “fake” star anise, as it can be challenging to differentiate from the real thing. Fake star anise often lacks the characteristic aroma and flavor of a genuine product. Buying from trusted sources helps mitigate the risk of purchasing “fake” spice. So, when purchasing star anise, it’s essential to be discerning. Opt for reliable sources such as specialty stores or reputable online retailers. Especially for importers, this spice is a valuable good, so finding a trustworthy partner is important!

About us

Havigo Company Limited operates in the field of agricultural export. We wish to bring high-quality Vietnamese agricultural products such as spices, rice, beans, and fruits… to the world. We supply you with high-quality products at the best price. If you find interested in importing premium Star Anise, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for better support via WhatsApp: +84 979 58 58 56.

We are confident in our ability to deliver products that consistently meet the highest quality standards while offering competitive pricing within the market. Furthermore, we are committed to providing exceptional customer support throughout your entire experience. Please contact us for better support via WhatsApp: +84 979 58 58 56.