Paprika Flakes — Special Grade (ASTA200+) Specification
Product Identification
| Product Information | |
| Product Name | Paprika Flakes Special Grade (ASTA200+) |
| Product Code | PF-SPC-001 |
| Grade | Special (ASTA200+) |
| Product Form | Flakes (coarse cut) |
| Botanical Source | Capsicum annuum L. (high-capsanthin cultivars) |
| Intended Market | Premium retail, gourmet food, decorative garnish |
| Regulatory Status | Food-grade, GRAS 21 CFR 182.10 |
| HS Code | 0904.21.00 (dried, neither crushed nor ground) |
| Country of Origin | China (Xinjiang) |
Description: Special Grade ASTA200+ paprika flakes are the highest color-intensity flake product offered by Dinweys. Sourced exclusively from Xinjiang high-capsanthin Capsicum annuum cultivars, these flakes deliver minimum ASTA 200 color value with low SHU (≤500). Each flake retains deep red color that commands premium retail pricing. The coarse 4–8 mesh cut maintains piece identity, making them a superior garnish and decorative ingredient for high-end retail applications.
Physical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification | Method Reference |
| ASTA Color Value | ≥200 (200–300 typical) | ASTA 20.1 (Spectrophotometric, 460 nm) |
| Moisture Content | ≤10.0% w/w | LOD at 105°C / AOAC 945.39 |
| Particle Size | 4–8 mesh (2.4–4.8 mm) — primary cut | Sieve analysis — ISO 2591-1 |
| Fines (through 20 mesh) | ≤10% w/w | Sieve analysis — ISO 2591-1 |
| Oversize (retained on 4 mesh) | ≤5% w/w | Sieve analysis — ISO 2591-1 |
| Extraneous Matter | ≤0.5% w/w | Visual / Manual separation |
| Appearance | Deep red flakes, very uniform | Visual inspection |
Chemical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification | Method Reference |
| Pungency (Scoville Heat Units) | ≤500 SHU | HPLC — AOAC 995.14 |
| Total Ash | ≤8.0% w/w | AOAC 923.03 (525°C) |
| Acid-Insoluble Ash | ≤1.0% w/w | AOAC 941.03 |
| Capsanthin (typical) | ≥160 mg/100 g | HPLC — in-house method |
| Element | EU Limit (Default) | US FDA Limit | Unit |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤3.0 | ≤3.0 | ppm |
| Cadmium (Cd) | ≤0.3 | ≤0.5 | ppm |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤1.0 | ≤1.0 | ppm |
| Mercury (Hg) | ≤0.1 | ≤0.1 | ppm |
| Method | ICP-MS (EN 15763) | ICP-MS (FDA 4.1) | |
Pesticide Residues
EU MRL compliant — Regulation (EC) No 396/2005. GC-MS/MS — EN 15662.
Microbiological Specifications
| Parameter | EU / US Standard | Test Method |
| Salmonella spp. | Negative / 25 g | ISO 6579-1 |
| Escherichia coli | <10 CFU/g | ISO 16649-2 |
| Yeast & Mold | <1,000 CFU/g | ISO 21527-1 |
| APC | <100,000 CFU/g | ISO 4833-1 |
Applications
| Application Segment | Suitability | Notes |
| Premium garnish | ★★★★★ | Deep red flakes enhance plate appeal |
| Gourmet retail packaging | ★★★★★ | Visible flake quality justifies premium pricing |
| High-end decorative applications | ★★★★★ | Food styling, charcuterie boards |
| Premium seasoning blends | ★★★★☆ | Adds both color and visible quality |
| Gift sets & gourmet hampers | ★★★★★ | Exceptional visual presentation |
Best For: Premium retail packaging, fashion food products, gourmet garnish, decorative culinary applications where appearance drives purchase — not functional color contribution.
Processing Recommendations
- Gentle handling required: Flakes are larger and more brittle than powder; minimize handling steps to reduce breakage.
- Packaging: Aluminum foil vacuum bags recommended for retail to preserve the deep red color consumers pay a premium for.
- No further processing intended: Special Grade flakes are a final-form product; not recommended as raw material for grinding (excessive cost premium).
Packaging & Logistics
| Parameter | Specification |
| Standard Pack | 25 kg multi-layer kraft paper bag with PE liner |
| Retail Pack | 500 g / 1 kg aluminum foil stand-up pouches |
| Palletization | 40 bags (1,000 kg net) per pallet |
| Container Loading (20 ft FCL) | ~20 MT net |
Recommended: Reefer shipping (18–22°C) for all export shipments to preserve peak ASTA color.
Storage Stability Data
| Condition | Shelf Life | Expected Outcome |
| 15–20°C, ≤55% RH, dark | 18 months | ASTA loss <10% |
| 20–25°C, ≤60% RH, dark | 12–15 months | ASTA loss 10–15% |
| After opening (retail) | 3–4 months | Reseal; store dark & cool |
Critical: Same sensitivity to heat, light, and humidity as Special Grade powder. Vacuum-sealed or gas-flushed packaging strongly recommended for retail.
Cross-References
This document is part of the official technical documentation library for paprikabulk.com operated by Dinweys (Qingdao).Co.,Ltd. All rights reserved. For the latest version, visit paprikabulk.com.