1. Star Anise
Genuine: The fruit consists of 8 buds arranged radially along the central axis. Each bud is 1-2 cm long, 0.3-0.5 cm wide, and 0.6-1 cm high. The outer surface is reddish-brown with irregular wrinkles, the apex is beak-shaped, and the upper side is often split. The inner surface is light brown, hard and brittle, with a fragrant aroma and a pungent, sweet taste.
Counterfeit: The fruit is often composed of 7-8 smaller buds arranged in a whorl. A single bud is about 1.5 cm long and 0.4-0.7 cm wide, tapering at the front, slightly curved, and with a thinner pericarp. It has a distinctive aroma and a slightly sour taste that then turns sweet.
2. Sichuan Pepper
Genuine: Consists of 2-3 small, free buds clustered on a small fruit stalk. Each bud splits along the ventral suture, is 0.4-0.5 cm in diameter, and has a purple or brownish-red outer surface with numerous wart-like oil dots. The inner surface is pale yellow and smooth. The inner and outer pericarps are often separated from the base. It has a fragrant aroma and a numbing, spicy, and lasting taste.
The adulterant: consists of 5 small buds arranged radially, resembling plum blossoms. Each bud splits open from the top, with a greenish-brown or brownish-red outer surface, slightly rough, with a few small, round, raised oil dots. It has a weaker aroma and a slightly spicy and numbing taste.
3. Cinnamon
Genuine: The outer surface is grayish-brown, slightly rough, with irregular fine wrinkles and protrusions. The inner surface is reddish-brown, smooth, with fine lines. Scratching reveals an oily mark. The cross-section shows a brown outer layer and a reddish-brown, oily inner layer, with a pale yellowish-brown ring near the outer layer. It has a strong, fragrant aroma and a sweet, spicy taste.
The adulterant: The outer surface is grayish-brown or grayish-brown, slightly rough, with visible grayish-white spots and irregular fine lines. The inner surface is reddish-brown and smooth. It has a slightly fragrant aroma and a spicy taste.
4. Fennel Seeds
Genuine: The schizocarps are cylindrical, slightly pointed and curved at both ends, 0.4–0.7 cm long and 0.2–0.3 cm wide. The surface is yellowish-green or greenish-yellow. The mericarps are oblong, with 5 raised longitudinal ribs on the back and a slightly flattened surface. It has an aromatic odor and a sweet, pungent taste.
Inferior: The mericarps are flattened and oval, 0.3–0.5 cm long and 0.2–0.3 cm wide. The surface is brown or dark brown, with 3 slightly raised ribs on the back; the ribs along the edges are light brown and extended or wing-like. It has an aromatic odor and a pungent taste.
5. Ginger
Genuine: Cylindrical, often curved, and branched. 5–8 cm long and 0.5 cm in diameter. The surface is brownish-red to dark brown, with half-segments, each 0.2–1 cm long. The cross-section is grayish-brown or reddish-brown, with an aromatic odor and a pungent taste.
Counterfeit product: Cylindrical, much-branched, 8–12 cm long, 2–3 cm in diameter. Surface reddish-brown or dark purple, with nodes, internodes 0.3–0.6 cm long. Cross-section pale yellow. Odor aromatic but weaker than the genuine product, taste pungent. Its volatile oils are irritating to the skin and mucous membranes.