Anise, Star (organic)

Star anise and anise share a scent and nothing else. Illicium verum is a tree of the Schisandraceae. Anise, Pimpinella anisum, is an annual herb of the carrot family. Both owe their aroma to trans-anethole. Japanese star anise, Illicium anisatum, is a separate species and a known adulterant of the spice.

01 · Origin

Illicium verum is an evergreen native to southern China and northern Vietnam. Its eight-pointed fruits are harvested before full ripeness and dried. This oil is distilled from the fruits, wild-crafted in Vietnam under organic certification (DE-ÖKO-007).

02 · Chemistry

Trans-anethole dominates the oil. Limonene and alpha-pinene make up most of the remainder. Anethole solidifies in a cool room, so the oil may crystallise in storage. Warming the bottle gently returns it to liquid with no change in quality.

03 · In Practice

Sweet, warm and liquorice-like, with a slightly spicy brightness. A middle note. Diffusion, massage blends and natural perfumery in small proportion. Comparison with Anise (No. 1080) and Anise Myrtle (No. 2188) shows three unrelated plants converging on one molecule. Blends with orange, mandarin, cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, fennel and black pepper.

General information: For external use only. Dilute before applying to skin. Keep away from heat and sunlight. Keep out of reach of children. Avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes.