Small green cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) from Kerala is valued for its deep green colour, bold pods and high essential-oil content. The Gulf is one of the world's largest cardamom markets — used in Arabic coffee, sweets, rice dishes and spice blends.
We source from growing and auction centres in the Idukki region and grade every lot before it is offered.
What cardamom grades do you supply?
Cardamom is graded primarily by pod size, measured in millimetres, and by colour and litre weight — the weight of one litre of pods, a practical measure of how full and mature they are. Bolder, greener pods with a higher litre weight command higher prices.
- 8mm and above — premium bold pods for the Gulf retail market
- 7–8mm — bold, the most traded export size
- 6–7mm — for blending, grinding and value markets
- Traditional trade grades such as AGEB (Alleppey Green Extra Bold) on request
Why is Kerala cardamom preferred?
The Cardamom Hills of Idukki have the altitude, rainfall and shade canopy the crop needs. Kerala growers have also invested heavily in drying technology that preserves the green colour buyers look for — colour is one of the first things an importer checks.
How is cardamom quality verified?
Each lot is checked for size distribution, colour, litre weight, moisture and the proportion of empty, split or immature pods. The results are documented in a quality report. Pesticide-residue testing and independent inspection can be arranged for markets with specific limits.
Why is green cardamom so important in the Gulf?
Cardamom is central to Gulf hospitality: it flavours gahwa (Arabic coffee), sweets, rice and meat dishes. Gulf buyers are among the most demanding on colour and size, which is why bold, deep-green pods of 7 mm and above are the most sought-after export grades.
Green Cardamom: frequently asked questions
What is 8mm cardamom?
8mm cardamom means pods that are retained on an 8mm sieve — the boldest, most premium size grade of green cardamom.
Do you supply cardamom to the Gulf?
Yes. The UAE and wider GCC are key markets for green cardamom, and our group ships regularly to Jebel Ali and Khorfakkan.
Can I order a mix of cardamom grades?
Yes. A single shipment can include several size grades, each packed and labelled separately.
How should cardamom be stored?
In a cool, dry and dark place, sealed from air and away from strong odours, so it keeps its colour and aroma.
Guides on green cardamom
- Cardamom Grades Explained: 8mm, 7mm, AGEB and What Buyers Should CheckSize gets the headline, but colour and litre weight tell you whether the pod is worth the price.
- Why UAE Importers Source Coffee and Spices from KeralaTwo thousand years of trade across the Arabian Sea — and the reasons it still makes sense.
- How Green Cardamom Is Harvested and Dried in KeralaThe green that buyers pay for is created in the drying room.