United States

Department of

Agriculture

Agricultural 

Marketing

Service

Fruit and

Vegetable

Division

Fresh

Products

Branch

United States Standards

for Grades of

Sweet Anise

Effective March 15, 1973

(Reprinted - January 1997)
Compliance with the provisions of these standards shall not excuse failure to comply with the provisions of the 1

Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act or with applicable State laws and regulations.

1

United States Standards for Grades of Sweet Anise1

Grade

51.2900 U.S. No. 1.

Unclassified

51.2901 Unclassified.

Definitions

51.2902 Stalks.

51.2903 Firm.

51.2904 Tender.

51.2905 Well trimmed.

51.2906 Fairly well blanched.

51.2907 Damage.

51.2908 Diameter.

Grade 

§51.2900 U.S. No. 1. 

"U.S. No. 1" consists of stalks of sweet anise which are firm, tender, well trimmed, and fairly well

blanched; which are free from decay and from damage caused by growth cracks, pithy branches,

wilting, freezing, seedstems, dirt, discoloration, disease, insects, or mechanical or other means.

Unless otherwise specified, the minimum diameter of each bulb shall be not less than 2 inches. 

(a) Tolerances. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling, the

following tolerances, by count, are provided as specified: 

(1) For defects. Ten percent for stalks in any lot which fail to meet the requirements of this grade,

including therein not more than 1 percent for stalks affected by decay. 

(2) For size. Ten percent for stalks in any lot which fail to meet the specified minimum diameter

requirement. 

Unclassified 

§51.2901 Unclassified. 

''Unclassified'' consists of stalks of sweet anise which have not been classified in accordance with

the foregoing grade. The term ''unclassified'' is not a grade within the meaning of these standards

but is provided as a designation to show that no grade has been applied to the lot. 

Definitions 

§51.2902 Stalk. 

''Stalk'' means an individual plant. 
2

§51.2903 Firm. 

''Firm'' means that the bulbs are not soft or wilted. 

§51.2904 Tender. 

''Tender'' means that the bulbs are crisp and succulent. 

§51.2905 Well trimmed. 

''Well trimmed'' means that not more than one coarse outer branch is left on each side of the bulb

to protect the tender inside portion, and the portion of the root remaining is not more than

one-half inch in length. Tops may be either full length or cut back to not less than 10 inches

except that not more than five of the outer branches may be cut back to less than 10 inches if

necessary to facilitate proper packing, but not more than three of these may be on the same side

of the bulb. 

§51.2906 Fairly well blanched. 

''Fairly well blanched'' means that the bulbs are of a light greenish to white color. 

§51.2907 Damage. 

''Damage'' means any specific defect described in this section; or an equally objectionable variation

of any one of these defects, any other defect, or any combination of defects, which materially

detracts from the appearance, or the edible or marketing quality of the stalk. 

The following specific defects shall be considered as damage: 

(a) Growth cracks, when more than three branches show one or more growth cracks. 

(b) Pithy branches, when more than three branches show distinctly open texture with air spaces in

the central portion of that part which goes to make up the base or bulbous portion of the stalk. 

(c) Wilting, when the stalk is limp and flabby. 

(d) Freezing, when the epidermis of the branches is badly blistered, or when the tops are brown or

yellow to such an extent as to materially damage the appearance of the stalk, or when a

combination of these causes material damage to the appearance and shipping quality of the stalk. 

(e) Seedstems, which have reached the stage where the flower buds are plainly visible. Stalks from

which the seedstems have been removed shall be considered as damaged. 

(f) Dirt, when caked on the bulbous portion of the stalk, or when present to such an extent on the

tops and branches as to cause material damage to the appearance of the stalk. 

(g) Discoloration, when the bulbous portion shows extensive brown to dark brown areas

characteristic of injury caused by rough handling, or when the tops are yellow or brown to such

an extent as to cause material damage to the appearance of the stalk. 

§51.2908 Diameter. 

''Diameter'' means the smallest diameter measured through the center of the bulb at right angles to

the longitudinal axis of the stalk.