Abstract:To optimize the star anise drying process，achieve the goals of high quality and low energy consumption，and improve the economic value of dried star anise，this study adopted a microwave-heat pump coupled drying method where microwave drying was applied first，followed by heat pump drying.It analyzed the effects of microwave power，heat pump drying temperature，and heat pump air velocity on the drying quality of star anise.Based on single-factor experiments and response surface methodology optimization，the optimal drying process parameters for microwave-heat pump coupled drying of star anise were determined as follows：microwave power of 415 W，heat pump drying temperature of 60 ℃，and heat pump air velocity of 2.6 m/s.Under these conditions，the rehydration ratio of dried star anise was 2.17；the sensory score was 8.1；the volatile oil extraction rate was 8.21%；the trans-anethole content was 83.68 mg/g，and the comprehensive score was 0.96.The results showed that the combined drying method where microwave drying was applied first，followed by heat pump drying，has good applicability for star anise drying.