Cardamom Processing & Drying

Post-Harvest Quality

Our Processing Journey

Every step is carefully managed to preserve the volatile oils, colour, and aroma that make Idukki cardamom exceptional.

🌱

Selective Harvest

Pods hand-picked when mature green. Every 20–30 days.

🚿

Washing

Cleaned in fresh water to remove debris and soil contamination.

🌡️

Chamber Drying

Forced hot air at 45-50°C for 18-24 hours. Preserves green colour.

🔥

Firewood Kiln

Traditional method. Indirect heat. Subtle smoky character optional.

☀️

Solar Drying

Eco-friendly. Greenhouse solar dryers. 3-5 days. No smoke.

⚖️

Grading

Vibrating sieves sort into 6, 7 and 8 mm uniform sizes.

🎨

Colour Sorting

Optical sorters remove discoloured or shrivelled pods.

✨

Polishing

Drum polished. No wax or artificial colouring. Natural green preserved.

🔬

Lab Testing

Moisture, oil content, pesticide residue, microbiology tested.

📦

Packing

Moisture-barrier pouches or vacuum-sealed sacks for freshness.

Method	Duration	Colour	Notes
🌡️ Chamber (Flue)	18–24 hrs	Bright Green	Most controlled. Preferred for export.
🔥 Firewood Kiln	24–36 hrs	Slightly darker	Traditional. Slight smoked note. Domestic blends.
☀️ Solar	3–5 days	Vibrant Green	Eco-friendly. Slower. Best colour retention.