Whole spice · Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton
Specification and grades
Cardamom is graded almost entirely on capsule size and colour, and the Gulf market — by far the largest importer of Indian cardamom — buys in millimetres: 8 mm, 7 mm, 6 mm. Larger, greener and more aromatic means a materially higher price, so grade honesty matters more here than in any other line. We source at the Bodinayakanur and Vandanmedu auctions, screen to size, and declare volatile oil on every offer.
- Botanical name
- Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton
- HS code (whole)
- 09083100
- Volatile oil
- ≥ 4.0 ml/100 g
- Capsule size
- 6 mm – 8 mm+, screened
Grades offered
- AGEB 8 mm
- AGB 7 mm
- AGS 6 mm
- Seeds / decorticated
| Grade | Character & typical use | Key value |
|---|---|---|
| AGEB 8 mm — Extra Bold | Largest capsules, deep parrot green. The premium Gulf grade. | 8.0 mm+ |
| AGB 7 mm — Bold | Bold, uniformly green. The volume export grade. | 7.0 – 8.0 mm |
| AGS 6 mm — Superior | Smaller capsule, still green and aromatic. Blending and grinding. | 6.0 – 7.0 mm |
| Seeds / decorticated | Hulled seed for extraction, bakery and instant mixes. | — |
Technical
Typical export specification
These are the parameters we contract against. Every consignment ships with a pre-shipment certificate of analysis from an NABL-accredited laboratory, and we will work to a tighter buyer specification where your process demands it.
Read this as indicative. Figures reflect standard Indian export practice and
common buyer specifications for this line. The binding specification is the one written into
your contract and confirmed on the pre-shipment COA.
| Parameter | Specification | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Moisture | ≤ 11.0% | IS 1907 / ASTA 2.0 |
| Volatile oil | ≥ 4.0 ml/100 g (8 mm ≥ 5.0) | ASTA 5.0 |
| Capsule size | Per grade, screened 6/7/8 mm | Mechanical screening |
| Colour | Uniform parrot green, minimal yellowing | Visual |
| Empty & malformed capsules | ≤ 3.0% | ASTA 14.0 |
| Immature & shrivelled | ≤ 3.0% | ASTA 14.0 |
| Extraneous matter | ≤ 0.5% | ASTA 14.0 |
| Total ash (dry basis) | ≤ 9.0% | AOAC 941.12 |
| Acid insoluble ash | ≤ 2.5% | AOAC 941.12 |
| Pesticide residues | Within EU MRLs (Reg. 396/2005) — screened every lot | LC-MS/MS & GC-MS/MS |
| Salmonella | Absent in 25 g | ISO 6579 |