What buyers actually specify
Green cardamom is bought on aroma and appearance before anything else, and both are carried by the volatile oil — principally 1,8-cineole and α-terpinyl acetate. Trade grades are built around capsule size and colour, which is why two lots with the same botanical name can be priced very differently.
Because those grades vary by buyer and by season, we quote against your specification rather than publishing one. Tell us the capsule size band, the colour you need and the volatile oil minimum, and we will confirm what we can hold to.
Specification
This is a made-to-order line, so the grade is agreed against your purchase order rather than fixed here. Every parameter below is measured and reported on the NABL-accredited Certificate of Analysis that ships with the lot.
| Parameter | Basis |
|---|---|
| Botanical name | Elettaria cardamomum |
| Origin | Confirmed on the purchase order |
| Grade | Agreed against your specification |
| Capsule size and colour | Agreed against your specification |
| Volatile oil | Measured and reported on the NABL CoA |
| Moisture | Measured and reported on the NABL CoA |
| Empty and malformed capsules | Measured and reported on the NABL CoA |
| Extraneous matter | Measured and reported on the NABL CoA |
| Ethylene oxide | Not detected |
Forms and packaging
- Whole capsules — the usual export form, graded to your size band.
- Seeds (decorticated) — on request.
- Ground — on request; grind size specified by you.
- Packing — agreed on the PO. Vacuum and foil-lined options where aroma retention over a long transit matters.
Commercial terms
Made to order against a confirmed purchase order, so lead times are longer than our stocked lines. Price and minimum order quantity are quoted per contract on an FOB or CIF basis — there are too many variables in origin, grade, packing and freight for a list price to mean anything. Payment terms and documentation follow the same pack as our stocked lines. Ask and we will put a number and a date against your specification.
Compliance
Every lot ships with a NABL-accredited Certificate of Analysis, a Spices Board Certificate of Origin and a Phytosanitary Certificate. Ethylene oxide is not used at any stage; residues are reported against the EU sum limit of 0.1 mg/kg for ethylene oxide and 2-chloroethanol under Reg. (EC) 396/2005, and against the US tolerance of 7 ppm under 40 CFR 180.151. Aflatoxin and ochratoxin A are reported against the maximum levels in Reg. (EU) 2023/915.
Common questions
Why is there no price on this page?
Cardamom pricing moves with grade, capsule size, season and freight, and a list price would be wrong more often than right. We quote against your specification on an FOB or CIF basis. Ask and you will get a real number.
Can you match a specification we already use?
Yes. Send the spec sheet you buy against today and we will tell you plainly whether we can meet it, rather than quoting first and finding out later.
What documentation ships with it?
A NABL-accredited Certificate of Analysis, a Spices Board Certificate of Origin, a Phytosanitary Certificate, and a Health Certificate where the destination requires one.