What machine-clean, 99.5% and 99.95% sortex purity really mean, why volatile oil drives aroma, and how EU pesticide limits on cumin catch out first-time buyers.
India supplies most of the world's cumin, and almost all of it passes through Unjha in Gujarat — the largest jeera market anywhere. Rajasthan adds volume too. The questions we get are nearly always the same: how clean, how aromatic, and will it clear my customs? Here is how we answer them.
Purity grades, and what the labels mean
Cumin is sold by purity. Machine-clean material sits around 99% and is fine for many uses. From there it goes through sortex (optical sorting) to roughly 99.5% — often quoted as "Europe quality" — and up to 99.95%, the "Singapore quality" tier with the least admixture and foreign seed. Each step costs more and yields a little less. The exact purity is agreed on contract and confirmed on the CoA per lot, so do not buy on a trade nickname alone — buy on the number.
Volatile oil is the flavour
Cleanliness tells you nothing about aroma; volatile oil does. Indian cumin typically carries roughly 2.5 to 4% volatile oil, and that is what your kitchen or processing line actually tastes. If aroma matters for your product, specify a minimum and have it confirmed by lot. Whole seed holds its oil best; powder and roasted forms are convenient but lose volatiles faster, so order those closer to use.
- Purity %: machine-clean ~99%, sortex 99.5% or 99.95%
- Volatile oil %, with a stated minimum
- Moisture and admixture
- Form: whole seed, powder, or roasted
- Pesticide MRL panel for your destination market
The EU pesticide trap
A word of caution for European buyers: cumin is one of the spices the EU scrutinises hardest on pesticide residues, and limits are strict. We have seen otherwise clean lots held purely on MRL. So we test at accredited partner labs and ship with a CoA covering purity, volatile oil, moisture and a full MRL panel matched to where the goods are landing. Get the destination confirmed before testing — MRLs differ by market.
Tip: Ask whether the cumin is current-season or carryover stock. Older seed can still hit purity specs while quietly losing volatile oil, so cross-check the oil figure on the CoA, not just the cleanliness number.
Frequently asked questions
Do you do retail packs under our label, or only bulk?
Both. Beyond bulk PP, jute or vacuum packing, our single-window private-label service designs your pack and label, fills supermarket-ready retail packs — jars, stand-up or pillow pouches and cartons — and delivers on DAP terms to your warehouse. Packing is at our audited partner facility under our oversight; import duties and taxes remain your account.
What purity grades of cumin do you offer?
From Unjha we supply machine clean 99%, sortex 99.5% and 99.95%. The exact purity and admixture are confirmed on the CoA for your lot.
Will it meet EU MRL requirements?
EU MRLs on cumin are strict, so we test at an accredited partner lab for the relevant pesticide residues and ship with a CoA against the agreed spec. We do not guarantee a blanket pass; we agree the spec on contract and test each lot.
What about volatile oil content?
Volatile oil typically runs around 2.5 to 4%, which is indicative and confirmed on the CoA. If oil content matters for your use, set a minimum in the contract.
Can I order whole, powder or roasted, and start small?
Whole, powder and roasted are all available, and trial quantities on LCL are fine for new buyers before moving to FCL.
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