Understanding Spice Grades: A Buyer’s Guide
What actually separates one grade from the next — curcumin, SHU, ASTA, purity, bulk density, capsule size — across the major Indian spices.
Grades are measurements, not marketing
A grade is a measurable parameter that predicts performance and price. “Premium” or “A-grade” mean nothing without the number behind them. For each spice there is a primary parameter buyers actually pay for, and knowing it lets you compare offers on equal terms.
The primary parameter by spice
| Spice | Grade parameter | Reference points |
|---|---|---|
| Turmeric | Curcumin % | Alleppey-type 4–6%, Erode 2.5–3%, Nizamabad 1.5–2.25% |
| Chilli (heat) | SHU | Guntur Sannam S4 35,000–45,000 |
| Chilli (colour) | ASTA colour | Byadgi 130–150, Sannam S4 100–120, Teja 110–130 |
| Cumin | Purity % | Singapore 99%, Europe 99.5% |
| Black pepper | Bulk density g/l | MG1 ~500–550, TGEB 550+ |
| Green cardamom | Capsule size | 6mm / 7mm / 8mm / AGEB |
Heat versus colour in chilli
Chilli is the clearest example of two different grade axes. Sannam S4 is a heat chilli (35,000–45,000 SHU, ASTA 100–120). Byadgi is a colour chilli (a mild 8,000–15,000 SHU but ASTA 130–150). Buying Byadgi for heat, or Sannam for colour, means paying for the wrong axis. Teja S17 is quoted at ASTA 110–130.
Grade is not safety
A high grade tells you nothing about contaminants. A 6% curcumin turmeric can still carry lead chromate; a bold Tellicherry pepper can still fail Salmonella. Grade and the safety panel (aflatoxin, adulterant, micro) are separate checks and both belong in your spec.
How YouPals helps
YouPals helps you buy on the right parameter for each spice and verifies it, alongside the safety panel, before shipment. As a sourcing desk with no owned processing, we have no grade to push — we match the grade to your product and confirm it against the sample and the lab.
Frequently asked
What does ASTA colour measure in chilli?
ASTA colour is the extractable-colour value — what colour buyers pay for. Byadgi scores 130–150 (bought for colour) while Sannam S4 scores 100–120 (bought for heat).
Does a higher grade mean a safer spice?
No. Grade measures performance, not safety. A high-curcumin turmeric can still carry lead chromate, so grade and the contaminant panel are separate checks that both belong in the spec.
Sourcing this? Tell us the spice, grade and destination and we return a documented offer — vetted supply, QC oversight, and the test dossier your market needs.
Start a sourcing enquiry →What this page does not tell you
- Teja S17 Scoville figure
- Teja S17 SHU is widely quoted very high but not verified in our sources; only its ASTA 110–130 is stated.
Reviewed 16 July 2026.
Sources
- Spices Board of India — Export statistics· Tier 1, retrieved 2026-07-16
- Reg. (EU) 2023/915 — maximum levels for certain contaminants· Tier 1, retrieved 2026-07-16