Spring and Autumn Star Anise: 2 Popular Kinds of Star Anise

Star anise is a rare spice due to its hard harvesting condition. However, the star anise trees produce fruit twice a year. Therefore, there are 2 kinds of star anise based on its harvesting period. This post shows you about the spring and autumn star anise from Vietnam.

1. Harvesting Spring and Autumn Star Anise

In Vietnam, people harvest star anise twice a year. First, the spring harvest occurs from March to April. Then, the autumn harvest takes place from August to November. 

Star anise thrives in cool, moist climates, so farmers look for areas with elevations ranging from 300 to 700 meters above sea level. Therefore, Lang Son and Cao Bang provinces are prime locations due to their ideal conditions. The fact is the colder the climate, the better the quality of star anise.

Normally, anise plants, if planted and cared for well, will flower after 4 – 7 years of planting and can be harvested for up to several decades. The yield of star anise from the 4th to 7th year is about 0.5 – 1 kg/tree. However, an anise tree above 20 years can yield a stable yield, of up to 40 – 50 kg. If the star anise tree is planted and cared for properly, it can yield high and stable yields, extending the harvest period up to 80 years. That is why star anise is a rare spice and its price is often high!

2. Spring Star Anise

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: Spring star anise has a darker, richer color than its autumn one.
• Flavor: Offers milder flavor due to lower oil content than autumn anise.
• Price: Due to its quality, spring star anise is cheaper than autumn star anise.

3. Autumn Star Anise

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 often has a lighter, paler color than spring star anise.
• Flavor: Autumn star anise contains more oil content, therefore, it is more flavorful than spring one.
• Price: As above characteristics, the autumn star anise is more premium, it is more expensive than the four-quarter one.

Conclusion

Whether you prefer spring star anise’s intense flavor or autumn star anise’s milder sweetness, both varieties offer unique culinary experiences. The choice between the two often depends on the desired flavor profile and the specific recipe. By understanding the differences between spring and autumn star anise, you can make informed decisions and elevate your Vietnamese cooking to new heights.

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 Spring and Autumn Star Anise, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us for better support via WhatsApp: +84 979 58 58 56.