Description
Green cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is one of the world’s most valuable spice commodities, widely traded for its distinctive warm, sweet, and slightly citrusy flavour profile. India — particularly Kerala’s Idukki district — accounts for a significant share of global cardamom production and is the reference origin for premium grade supply.
About Indian Green Cardamom
Indian green cardamom is used across food manufacturing, beverage production, bakery and confectionery, pharmaceutical flavouring, and premium retail spice blending. Its essential oil content — and the intensity of aroma it delivers — makes origin-specific Indian cardamom consistently preferred over other origins by buyers who prioritise flavour performance over price alone.
SHK Export sources directly from established supply chains within Gujarat and Kerala, processes through FSSAI-compliant facilities, and ships to buyer ports with full export documentation.
Size Grades — What They Mean and Which One You Need
Cardamom is primarily graded by pod size, measured in millimetres. Size is the key quality indicator in cardamom trade — larger pods contain more seeds, higher volatile oil content, and deliver stronger aroma. They also command a higher price per kilogram.
Understanding which size suits your end use is how you buy to specification rather than buying blind.
| Size Grade | Pod Diameter | What It’s Best For | Relative Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6mm | 6–6.4mm | Food manufacturing, blending, spice mixes | Entry export grade |
| 6.5mm | 6.5–6.9mm | Wholesale distribution, general food service | Standard export grade |
| 7mm | 7–7.4mm | Premium food manufacturing, tea blending | Mid-premium |
| 7.5mm | 7.5–7.9mm | Retail repackaging, premium spice brands | Premium |
| 8mm | 8–8.4mm | High-end retail, Middle East markets, gifting packs | High premium |
| 8.5mm+ | 8.5mm and above | Luxury retail, GCC specialty markets, premium gifting | Highest premium |
| Split pods | Mixed | Industrial applications, ground cardamom production | Below standard grades |
Technical Product Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Elettaria cardamomum |
| Origin | Kerala (Idukki), India |
| Size grades available | 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm, 7.5mm, 8mm, 8.5mm, Split pods |
| Color | Bold green / deep green (premium grades), light green acceptable at lower grades |
| Moisture content | Max 10% |
| Volatile oil content | Min 3% |
| Admixture | Max 1% |
| Foreign matter | Nil |
| Weight per pod | 0.5g to 1g |
| Shelf life | Up to 24 months (stored in cool, dry conditions) |
| Form | Whole pods or ground powder |
| HS Code (whole) | 0908.31 |
| HS Code (ground) | 0908.32 |
Specifications can be confirmed on a batch-specific COA prior to shipment. Contact us with your target parameters if you require tighter tolerances than above.
Available Forms
Whole Green Cardamom Pods Size-sorted, cleaned, and graded. Available in 6mm through 8.5mm and split pod grades. Suitable for wholesale distribution, food service, retail repackaging, and direct export.
Ground Green Cardamom Powder Milled from cleaned whole pods. Consistent granularity and aroma. Suitable for food manufacturing, spice blending, beverage flavouring, and private label products.
Both forms are available across all size grades and in standard packaging configurations.
Applications
Green cardamom is one of the most versatile spices in global food trade. Whole pods are used in spice blends, masala formulations, rice dishes, and premium tea blending — particularly the Middle Eastern custom of cardamom-infused Arabic coffee (qahwa). Ground cardamom is standard in bakery, confectionery, dessert flavouring, and ready-to-mix spice products. The pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors use cardamom extract and essential oil for digestive and breath-freshening applications.
For food manufacturers, the key specification to confirm is volatile oil content — this determines flavour intensity in the finished product. For retail and gifting buyers, pod size and colour uniformity are the primary visual quality indicators.
Certifications & Export Documentation
Our certifications:
- FSSAI License
- APEDA RCMC (Registration Cum Membership Certificate)
- IEC (Import Export Code)
- Spices Board of India registration
Documents provided with every shipment:
- Certificate of Analysis (COA) — batch-specific
- Phytosanitary Certificate (Plant Quarantine Authority of India)
- Certificate of Origin
- Commercial Invoice & Packing List
- Bill of Lading / Airway Bill
- Fumigation Certificate (where applicable)
Buyers requiring additional documentation for destination-country import clearance can confirm requirements at the time of order.
Shipping to UAE and USA
UAE buyers: Black pepper shipments to the UAE are routed through Port of Dubai. Transit time from Indian loading port is approximately 7–12 days by sea. SHK Export supplies several buyers in the UAE, a major regional hub for spice re-distribution across the GCC.
USA buyers: USA-bound shipments require FDA Prior Notice filing before arrival. SHK Export provides full export documentation to support customs clearance. Transit time to US West Coast is approximately 25–30 days; East Coast approximately 30–35 days. All shipments meet FSSAI food safety standards aligned with FSMA import requirements.
Other markets: Contact us for freight timelines and FOB/CIF pricing to your destination port.
Request a Sample or Get a Bulk Quote
Specify size grade (6mm / 7mm / 8mm / 8.5mm), form (whole pods / powder), quantity, and destination port. Our team responds within 1 business day.
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Frequently Asked Questions
1. What size grades of green cardamom do you supply?
We supply 6mm, 6.5mm, 7mm, 7.5mm, 8mm, 8.5mm, and split pod grades. Size selection depends on your end use — larger grades (8mm+) are suited to premium retail and GCC markets; smaller grades (6mm–7mm) are cost-effective for food manufacturing and spice blending.
2. What is the minimum order quantity?
Trial orders start from 500kg. Full container loads (FCL) are accepted for established buyers. Contact us to discuss MOQ flexibility for longer-term supply arrangements.
3. What is the difference between 6mm and 8mm cardamom?
The number refers to the minimum pod diameter. Larger pods contain more aromatic seeds and higher volatile oil content, which means stronger aroma and flavour. They are visually more uniform, which is why 8mm and above is preferred for retail packaging and premium gifting — especially in GCC markets. 6mm is the industry standard for food manufacturing and blending where pod size is not a visual requirement.
4. Do you supply both whole cardamom pods and ground cardamom powder?
Yes. Both forms are available across all size grades. Ground cardamom is milled from cleaned whole pods and is available in standard particle sizes. Custom grind requirements can be discussed [CONFIRM: if this is offered].
5. What is the HS code for green cardamom from India?
Whole green cardamom pods: HS Code 0908.31. Ground cardamom: HS Code 0908.32. These codes apply across all shipment and customs documentation.
6. What certifications does SHK Export hold?
We are FSSAI licensed, APEDA RCMC registered, IEC registered, and hold Spices Board of India certification. Copies of all certifications are available on request.
7. What volatile oil content does your cardamom deliver?
Minimum 3% volatile oil content is maintained across our export grades. Batch-specific COA with actual volatile oil readings is provided with every shipment. If you require a higher minimum spec, please confirm this when requesting a quote.
8. What documents come with a cardamom shipment?
Every shipment includes: batch-specific COA, Phytosanitary Certificate, Certificate of Origin, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, and Bill of Lading. Additional documentation for destination-country customs clearance (including FDA Prior Notice for USA) can be arranged on request.
9. Are FOB and CIF pricing both available?
Yes. FOB pricing covers loading at the Indian port; freight and insurance from there are arranged by the buyer. CIF pricing includes freight and insurance to your destination port. Confirm your preferred Incoterm when requesting a quote.
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