Tsaoko
Tsaoko
Item | Detail |
Product name | Tsaoko / Caoguo / Grass cardamom |
Botanical name | Amomum tsao-ko Crevost et Lemaire (Zingiberaceae) |
Origin | Yunnan,China |
Part used | Dried ripe fruit (whole capsule; husked seed mass) |
Appearance | Long-ellipsoid with 3 blunt ridges, grey-brown to red-brown, longitudinal furrows; strong aromatic, pungent |
Main use | Culinary spice — braising, hotpot, Sichuan cuisine; TCM (remove dampness, warm stomach) |
Shelf life | ≈ 12 months (sealed, cool & dry) |
Grades & How to Distinguish A. Pharmacopoeia quality parameters (Chinese Pharmacopoeia)
Parameter | Requirement |
Volatile oil (seed mass) | ≥ 1.4% (ml/g) |
Moisture | ≤ 15.0% |
Total ash | ≤ 8.0% |
Key aroma marker | 1,8-cineole |
B. Commodity grades
Grade | Description |
Selected, Grade 1 | Long-ellipsoid, 3 blunt ridges, grey-brown to red-brown, no cracking/broken; no stalk; ≤150 pcs/500 g |
Selected, Grade 2 | Same shape; with stalk; ≤200 pcs/500 g |
Standard (统货) | Mixed sizes, no cracking/broken |
C. Agricultural grades (NY/T 4266-2023) — by size & volatile oil
Grade | Fruit count (pcs/kg) | Volatile oil | Appearance |
Grade 1 | ≤ 350 | ≥ 1.3% | Brownish-red, strong pungent aroma, no stalk, plump |
Grade 2 | ≤ 400 | ≥ 1.0% | Brown, milder, some stalk |
Grade 3 | ≤ 500 | ≥ 0.5% | Dark brown, weak aroma, less plump |
D. Inspection checklist (how to distinguish quality)
Check | Criterion |
Size | Fewer pcs/kg = larger fruit = higher grade |
Appearance | Brownish-red, intact, no cracks/broken, plump; greenish-red = fresh |
Aroma | Strong pungent aromatic (1,8-cineole) = high volatile oil (≥1.4%) |
Moisture & pests | Dry (≤15%), no mould/insects |
Origin | Yunnan (premium) > Vietnam/Myanmar (imported) |
Packing Standards
Packing | Spec | Notes |
Woven / PP bags | 25 kg / 50 kg | With PE inner liner (moisture protection) |
Kraft paper bags | 25 kg | Export standard |
Retail pouches | 250–500 g | Sealed |
Extract / powder | 1 kg foil bag / 25 kg fibre drum | Processed forms |
Container Loading (Estimated):
Container | Approx. load | Note |
20ft (20GP) | 10–14 MT | Dense whole fruit; confirm by stow check |
40ft (40GP) | 20–28 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.