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Queen of Spices
- FSSAI Certified
- ISO 22000
- Organic Available
- Non-GMO
Queen of Spices — Export Grade
Green Cardamom Exporter India — Premium Elaichi Pods
Elettaria cardamomum Maton | Family: Zingiberaceae
UnitedSpices is a trusted green cardamom exporter in India, hand-picking pods from the misty highland estates of Kerala and Karnataka. Revered as the "Queen of Spices," our cardamom is prized for its intensely sweet, floral aroma and industry-leading essential oil content (6–12%) — available in whole pods, decorticated seeds and powder for wholesale and bulk export.
Essential Oil Content6.0% – 12.0%
OriginKerala & Karnataka, India
MoistureMax 12%
Min. Order Qty250 kg
Export MarketsUAE, Saudi Arabia, EU, USA
PackagingCustom / Jute / PP Bags
Available Forms
- Lab Tested
- Worldwide Export
- Bulk Pricing Available
- Dedicated Support
About Our Green Cardamom
Green Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is a perennial herb in the ginger family, native to the southern forests of India, and the third most expensive spice in the world after saffron and vanilla. As a dedicated green cardamom exporter in India, UnitedSpices sources exclusively from the "Cardamom Hills" of Kerala and Karnataka, at altitudes of 600–1,500 metres, where monsoon rainfall and rich laterite soil yield pods of exceptional aroma and oil depth.
We source from FSSAI-registered estates and grade each lot to precise size specifications before export. Harvested between August and February, pods are hand-picked, cured and sorted under the same rigorous quality standards we apply across our range, including our premium turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon and cloves, to protect their essential oil content and colour.
Why Buyers Choose Our Cardamom
- Industry-leading essential oil content verified by GC analysis (6–12%)
- Brilliant bright green colour, retained through optimal solar-shade drying
- Intense, persistent floral-eucalyptus aroma with sweet camphor notes
- Sourced exclusively from altitude-grown, certified highland estates
- Available in 7mm and 8mm Bold grades, AGEB, and decorticated seeds
- Clean label — no artificial colours, waxing or surface treatments
- Custom powder fineness: 40, 60 or 80 mesh
- Full traceability from estate to shipment
Product Identity
| Common Name | Green Cardamom / Elaichi |
|---|---|
| Other Names | Queen of Spices, True Cardamom |
| Botanical Name | Elettaria cardamomum Maton |
| Family | Zingiberaceae |
| Part Used | Fruit (pod / capsule) |
| Growing Regions | Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu |
| Altitude | 600 – 1,500 m above sea level |
| Harvest Season | August – February |
| HS Code | 0908 31 10 |
Sensory Profile
| Colour (Pod) | Bright to pale green |
|---|---|
| Colour (Seed) | Dark brown to black |
| Aroma | Intensely floral, sweet, eucalyptus-like |
| Taste | Sweet, minty, slightly pungent, warm |
| Pod Texture | Firm, papery shell with sticky dark seeds |
Cardamom Grades & Standards
Indian green cardamom is graded primarily by pod size (diameter), colour intensity and essential oil content. The Spices Board of India (SBI) defines several export grades. UnitedSpices supplies all grades, with premium 8mm Bold as our flagship export product.
| Grade | Size (Diameter) | Colour | Essential Oil | Moisture Max | Primary Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8mm Bold | ≥ 8.0 mm | Bright green | ≥ 8.0% | 12% | Premium export, luxury markets, Middle East |
| 7mm Bold | 7.0 – 7.9 mm | Green | ≥ 7.0% | 12% | Foodservice, retail, wholesale export |
| 6mm Medium | 6.0 – 6.9 mm | Green to light green | ≥ 6.0% | 12% | Spice blends, masala, food processing |
| AGEB / Bleached | Mixed / Bleached | Light green / pale | ≥ 5.0% | 12% | Essential oil extraction, industrial use |
| Decorticated Seeds | N/A (Seed form) | Dark brown–black | ≥ 6.0% | 10% | Flavouring, extract, pharmaceutical |
Chemical & Biochemical
| Essential Oil Content | 6.0 – 12.0% v/w (GC Analysis) |
|---|---|
| 1,8-Cineole (Eucalyptol) | 25 – 45% of essential oil |
| α-Terpinyl Acetate | 25 – 45% of essential oil |
| Moisture Content | Max 12% (Whole Pods) |
| Total Ash | Max 10.0% |
| Acid-Insoluble Ash | Max 3.0% |
Physical Parameters
| Pod Size (8mm Bold) | ≥ 8.0 mm diameter |
|---|---|
| Pod Size (7mm Bold) | 7.0 – 7.9 mm diameter |
| Light Berries | ≤ 3% (Bold) / ≤ 8% (Medium) |
| Extraneous Matter | Nil |
| Moisture (Seeds) | Max 10% |
| Powder Mesh Size | 40 / 60 / 80 mesh |
Microbiological
| Total Plate Count | < 1,00,000 CFU/g |
|---|---|
| Yeast & Mould | < 1,000 CFU/g |
| E. coli | Absent / 10g |
| Salmonella | Absent / 25g |
| Aflatoxin (Total) | < 10 ppb (EU norms) |
Safety & Contaminants
| Heavy Metals (Pb, As, Cd, Hg) | Within EU / FSSAI limits |
|---|---|
| Pesticide Residues | Compliant with EU MRL / FSSAI |
| Irradiation | Non-irradiated |
| GMO Status | Non-GMO verified |
Nutritional (per 100g, Seeds)
| Energy | 311 kcal |
|---|---|
| Carbohydrates | 68.5 g |
| Dietary Fibre | 28.0 g |
| Protein | 10.8 g |
| Manganese | 28 mg |
Shelf Life & Storage
| Shelf Life (Whole Pods) | 24 months from packing |
|---|---|
| Shelf Life (Seeds) | 18 months from packing |
| Shelf Life (Powder) | 12 months from packing |
| Storage Temperature | Cool, dry — below 20°C preferred |
| Special Note | Keep sealed; air exposure causes rapid aroma loss |
Food & Culinary
Cornerstone of South Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines — biryanis, curries, masalas, rice puddings and bakery, used whole or ground.
Beverages & Tea
Key ingredient in Masala Chai, Kahwa and Saudi Qahwa. Also used to flavour spirits, liqueurs and craft cocktails worldwide.
Pharmaceutical
Used as a carminative and digestive stimulant in herbal medicine, addressing nausea, halitosis and digestive disorders.
Nutraceuticals & Wellness
Cardamom extracts and essential oil feature in supplements targeting oral health, antioxidant support and metabolic wellness.
Cosmetics & Aromatherapy
Cardamom essential oil is prized in perfumery for its warm, spicy-floral character — used in skincare, soaps and diffuser blends.
Confectionery & Bakery
Widely used in Scandinavian pastries, Middle Eastern sweets, Indian mithai and gourmet chocolate for its distinctive sweet spice profile.
Jute / PP Bags
25 kg and 50 kg jute or polypropylene woven bags with moisture-proof inner liner — standard bulk export packaging.
Vacuum-Sealed Bags
Multi-layer vacuum-sealed foil pouches (1 kg – 10 kg) for premium export, preserving aroma and colour for longer shelf life.
Private Label / Retail
Custom-branded pouches, tins and glass jars from 50 g to 2 kg for retail, e-commerce and private-label buyers.
Corrugated Cartons
Double-wall corrugated cartons (10 kg – 20 kg) with vacuum inner bags — ideal for premium grades and retail chains.
Port of Loading
Cochin / Chennai / Tuticorin, India
Incoterms
FOB, CIF, CFR, EXW — all Incoterms available
Lead Time
7–14 business days from order confirmation
Export Documentation Available
- Phytosanitary Certificate
- Certificate of Origin
- Lab Analysis Report
- Certificate of Analysis (CoA)
- Fumigation Certificate
- MSDS / SDS Sheet
- Organic Certificate (on request)
- Halal & Kosher (on request)
Our Quality Commitment
Green cardamom is one of the world's most valuable spices, and its quality is exceptionally sensitive to post-harvest handling. At UnitedSpices, we employ estate-to-shipment protocols designed specifically for cardamom — where aroma, colour and essential oil content can degrade rapidly without proper care.
Our quality team grades each lot under natural light against Spices Board of India (SBI) colour cards, measures pod diameter mechanically, and validates essential oil content through GC-MS analysis at accredited third-party laboratories. Only lots meeting our internal benchmarks — stricter than SBI minimums — are approved for export.
We operate under an ISO 22000:2018-certified Food Safety Management System and maintain complete batch traceability from plantation registration to final Bill of Lading. Custom specifications for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and specialty food buyers are welcomed.
- GC-MS verified essential oil composition for every export batch
- Size grading using precision mechanical sieves (6mm / 7mm / 8mm)
- Colour assessment against Spices Board of India reference standards
- Full pesticide residue screening (500+ compounds, EU MRL compliant)
- Heavy metal and aflatoxin profiling per EU regulation
- Batch-specific Certificate of Analysis issued for every lot
FSSAI Certified
Food Safety & Standards Authority of India compliant facility.
ISO 22000:2018
Food Safety Management System certified worldwide benchmark.
Organic Certified
NPOP & NOP organic certification available for organic cardamom.
Halal Certified
Available on request for buyers in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Kosher Certified
Kosher documentation available on request for qualifying batches.
Spices Board India
Registered with the Spices Board of India for compliant, traceable export.
Cardamom Export — Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions from buyers sourcing green cardamom pods, seeds and powder from India.
What is 8mm Bold cardamom and why does it cost more?
8mm Bold refers to pods with a diameter of 8mm or above — the largest, brightest-green and most aromatic grade. It commands a premium because larger pods hold more essential oil and are preferred for gifting and premium retail markets.
What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) for cardamom export?
Our standard MOQ for green cardamom pods, seeds and powder is 250 kg per SKU. Smaller sample quantities are available on request for quality evaluation.
Which cardamom grades and forms does UnitedSpices export?
We export 8mm Bold, 7mm Bold and 6mm graded whole pods, AGEB/bleached pods, decorticated seeds, and cardamom powder in customisable mesh sizes.
Is UnitedSpices cardamom FSSAI approved and organic certified?
Yes. Our cardamom is FSSAI licensed, ISO 22000:2018 certified and registered with the Spices Board of India, with organic, Halal and Kosher certification available on request.
How should green cardamom be stored to preserve aroma?
Keep pods sealed in an airtight container away from direct sunlight and heat. Exposure to air causes rapid loss of essential oil and aroma, so we recommend vacuum-sealed packaging for retail and long-transit shipments.
How can I get a price quote for bulk cardamom?
Contact our export team via the Request a Quote form, WhatsApp or phone with your required grade, quantity and destination port. We typically respond within 24 hours.
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