Star Anise
A warm, sweet spice with a distinctive liquorice-like character. Star anise adds an exotic, slightly medicinal sweetness to dark, oriental compositions.
Fragrance Pyramid
Olfactive Character
Sweet, warm, and distinctly liquorice-like. Star anise is immediately recognisable. It adds an exotic, slightly retro quality to compositions. At low doses, it provides a subtle sweetness and warmth.
Origin & Harvest
From the fruit of Illicium verum, an evergreen tree native to China and Vietnam. The star-shaped fruits are harvested and steam-distilled. China is the primary producer. The oil is also a major source of shikimic acid, used in pharmaceutical production.
Key Molecules
Anethole provides the characteristic sweet, liquorice-like scent and comprises up to 90% of the essential oil. Estragole adds a subtle herbal quality. Limonene contributes a faint citrus brightness.
Safety & Regulation
Anethole is well characterised and IFRA compliant. May cause sensitisation in some individuals at high concentrations. Standard use levels in fine fragrance are well within safe limits.
In Perfumery
Found in oriental and spicy compositions. Used in Lolita Lempicka and Hypnotic Poison by Dior. Pairs with vanilla, tobacco, and dark woods. In KIDA KYO, star anise adds exotic warmth to our darker compositions.
History
Star anise has been used in Chinese cuisine and medicine for over 3,000 years. It reached Europe through the spice trade in the 16th century. Its use in Western perfumery adds an Eastern exoticism to spice-oriented compositions.
