Examples: Pepper, chilli, turmeric, cumin, coriander, cardamom
Confirm botanical identity and plant part first; then set form-specific physical and chemical limits.
Harobal Foods
Agriculture & Organic Commodities
Agriculture & Organic Commodities
Spices & herbs knowledge centre
Whole, crushed and ground spices cannot share one generic quality promise. This guide separates identity, plant part, processing form, sensory strength, cleanliness, treatment and destination safety requirements.
No automatic “export grade”
FSSAI is the Indian product baseline. Import-market limits and buyer specifications can differ; a lot-specific COA and treatment evidence remain necessary.
Catalogue architecture
Examples: Pepper, chilli, turmeric, cumin, coriander, cardamom
Confirm botanical identity and plant part first; then set form-specific physical and chemical limits.
Examples: Basil, oregano, rosemary, thyme, mint, curry leaf
Declare species, plant part, cut size, colour, foreign matter, moisture and microbiological program.
Examples: Garlic, onion and ginger
Declare dehydrated form, particle size, moisture, flavour-strength metric where applicable and rehydration/application needs.
Examples: Garam masala, biryani masala, curry powder, BBQ and peri-peri seasoning
Require a controlled ingredient formula, additive and allergen declaration, nutrition/label review and explicit vegan approval. The blend name alone proves none of these.
Identity comparison
Piper nigrum
Whole dried berry with pericarp; distinguish from white pepper by processing and appearance.
Piper nigrum
Same species as black pepper, with outer pericarp removed through processing; not a separate botanical species.
Capsicum spp.
Pungency and colour are independent buying attributes; cultivar and destination determine the appropriate program.
Capsicum annuum
Usually selected primarily for colour and a declared pungency range; do not merge automatically with generic hot chilli.
Curcuma longa
The traded plant part is the cured/dried rhizome or its powder; curcumin is a specification parameter, not proof of origin.
Cuminum cyminum
Ordinary cumin is not kalonji and not siah jira/caraway; use the botanical identity in the contract.
Nigella sativa
Despite the trade name ‘black cumin’, kalonji is Nigella sativa—not Cuminum cyminum.
Coriandrum sativum
Seed spice programs are distinct from fresh coriander leaf programs.
Elettaria cardamomum
Declare whole capsule or seed and a measurable size/colour grade; do not substitute large cardamom.
Cinnamomum spp.
True cinnamon and cassia are different species/programs. A contract saying only ‘cinnamon’ is incomplete.
Syzygium aromaticum
The commercial spice is the dried flower bud; whole quality includes sound buds and limits for stems/headless cloves.
Crocus sativus
Saffron is dried stigma; origin and ISO/FSSAI category must be evidenced, never inferred from red colour or trade wording.
Capparis spinosa
The Spices Board plant part is the flower bud. This dry-spice route is separate from capers preserved in brine or vinegar.
Garcinia cambogia
The traded spice plant part is dried fruit rind. No weight-loss, medicinal or standardized-extract claim is permitted.
Hyssopus officinalis
Culinary dried leaf program only; essential oil, therapeutic and medicinal-use routes are excluded.
Levisticum officinale
The Spices Board identity covers leaf and stem; root, seed, extract and medicinal presentations require separate review.
Satureja hortensis
Species must be declared because ‘savory’ is also a taste descriptor and may refer to other Satureja species.
Artemisia dracunculus
Botanical leaf identity and destination acceptability are mandatory; essential oil and therapeutic routes are excluded.
Alpinia galanga
Greater galanga is a declared rhizome identity and must not be substituted with ginger, lesser galangal or an unspecified extract.
Armoracia rusticana
The food spice is the root. This route excludes prepared horseradish sauce and medicinal/extract products.
Juniperus communis
Species and berry identity are mandatory; essential oil, ornamental species and therapeutic claims are excluded.
Build a spice request
This builder covers source-mapped single spices available in all three forms. Saffron and blends require a separate authenticity or controlled-formula review.
Risk-control matrix
Every masala or seasoning blend stays formulation-dependent until its complete formula, carriers, flavours, additives, processing aids, allergens and cross-contact statement are reviewed. Dairy, egg, meat or marine derivatives are prohibited; honey must be disclosed as the sole permitted exception and cannot be labelled vegan.
Primary sources