Katsumada Galangal Seed
Katsumada Galangal Seed
Product Overview
Item | Detail |
Product name | Katsumada Galangal Seed / Caodoukou |
Botanical name | Alpinia katsumadai Hayata (Zingiberaceae) |
Origin | China — Hainan, Guangxi; imported (Vietnam); |
Part used | Dried near-ripe seed mass (globular seed ball, whole) |
Appearance | Globular seed mass, grey-brown, firm; strong aromatic, pungent, slightly bitter |
Main use | TCM & culinary spice — braising, hotpot, stewing, flavouring |
Shelf life | ≈ 12 months (sealed, cool & dry) |
Pharmacopoeia quality parameters (Chinese Pharmacopoeia)：
Parameter | Requirement |
Volatile oil | ≥ 1.0% (ml/g) |
Markers (HPLC) | Alpinetin, pinocembrin, cardamonin, alnustone |
Commodity grades：
Grade | Seed-ball diameter | Firmness | Appearance |
Selected | 2.3–2.7 cm, large & uniform | No loosening/falling | Grey-brown seed mass, distinct septum, full & firm |
Standard | Mixed sizes | Partly loose/falling | May show pest damage, irregular |
By origin
Origin | Characteristic |
Hainan | Large, plump, strong aroma — premium, highest price |
Guangxi | Good quality, mid price |
Vietnam | Variable size, cost-effective |
Inspection checklist (how to distinguish quality)：
Check | Criterion |
Size & shape | Large, uniform, round globular seed mass = better |
Firmness | Dense, no loose/fallen seeds; loose = lower grade |
Aroma | Strong, pungent, aromatic = high volatile oil (≥1.0%) |
Colour | Uniform grey-brown; dark/faded or mouldy = reject |
Dryness & pests | Dry, moisture-controlled, no insect/mould damage |
Packing Standards:
Packing | Spec | Notes |
Woven / PP bags | 25 kg / 50 kg | With PE inner liner (moisture/mould protection) |
Plain white bags | 50 kg / 件 | Common in trade (add inner film if prone to mould) |
Small packs | 0.5 kg/bag (carton) | Retail / dispensing |
Extract / powder | 1 kg foil bag / 25 kg fibre drum | For processed forms |
Container Loading (Estimated):
Container | Approx. load | Note |
20ft (20GP) | 8–10 MT | Dense seed type; confirm by stow check |
40ft (40GP) | 16–20 MT | Estimated |
Storage & transport: sealed, cool & dry; ventilated warehouse off floor/off wall; protect from rain & moisture; light handling; never mix with toxic, odoriferous or contaminated goods.