Anisaldehyde

The common name for p-methoxybenzaldehyde, a flavour compound widespread in foods and fragrances. It carries a sweet, floral, hawthorn-like aroma with a soft anisic character, contributing to the scent of vanilla, anise and many blossoms. Flavourists use it in confectionery, bakery and beverage flavourings where a gentle sweet-spicy note is wanted, and perfumers value it similarly. It also serves as a synthetic intermediate in the flavour industry. At the trace levels found naturally in plant-derived foods it is a normal dietary constituent; concentrated forms are handled as defined flavouring substances under food law.