Paprika Powder — Special Grade (ASTA200+) Specification
Product Identification
| Product Information | |
| Product Name | Paprika Powder Special Grade (ASTA200+) |
| Product Code | PP-SPC-001 |
| Grade | Special |
| Product Form | Ground powder / Raw material for extraction |
| Botanical Source | Capsicum annuum L. (high-capsanthin varieties — selected cultivars) |
| Intended Market | Oleoresin extraction, premium color houses, high-end food coloring |
| Regulatory Status | Food-grade, GRAS 21 CFR 182.10 |
| HS Code | 0904.22.00 (crushed/ground Capsicum) |
| Country of Origin | China (Xinjiang — high-plateau desert grown) |
Description: Special Grade (ASTA200+) is the highest color-intensity paprika powder produced by Dinweys. Sourced exclusively from high-capsanthin Capsicum annuum cultivars grown in Xinjiang's high-altitude, arid climate — which naturally concentrates pigment development. With a minimum ASTA of 200 and exceptionally low SHU (≤500), this grade is the premier choice for oleoresin extraction (highest oleoresin yield per kg) and applications requiring maximum red color intensity. Particle size is customizable up to 100 mesh.
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 | As agreed — 40 mesh standard; up to 100 mesh available | Sieve analysis — ISO 2591-1 |
| Bulk Density (loose) | 0.40–0.55 g/mL (finer grind reduces BD) | ASTM D7481 |
| Bulk Density (tapped) | 0.55–0.70 g/mL | ASTM D7481 |
| Extraneous Matter | ≤0.5% w/w | Visual / Manual separation |
| Appearance | Deep red powder, very uniform | Visual inspection |
| Odor & Flavor | Characteristic sweet paprika, intense | Sensory evaluation |
Chemical Specifications
| Parameter | Specification | Method Reference |
| Pungency (Scoville Heat Units) | ≤500 SHU | HPLC — AOAC 995.14 / ISO 7543-1 |
| 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 |
| Volatile Oil | ≥0.25 mL/100 g (typical) | AOAC 962.17 (Clevenger) |
| Oleoresin Yield | ≥8% w/w (estimated by ASTA correlation) | Solvent extraction assay |
| Element | EU Limit (Default) | US FDA Limit | China GB 2762 Limit | Unit |
| Lead (Pb) | ≤3.0 | ≤3.0 | ≤3.0 | ppm (mg/kg) |
| Cadmium (Cd) | ≤0.3 | ≤0.5 | ≤0.5 | ppm (mg/kg) |
| Arsenic (As) | ≤1.0 | ≤1.0 | ≤1.0 | ppm (mg/kg) |
| Mercury (Hg) | ≤0.1 | ≤0.1 | ≤0.1 | ppm (mg/kg) |
| Method | ICP-MS (EN 15763) | ICP-MS (FDA 4.1) | ICP-MS (GB 5009.268) | |
Pesticide Residues
| Market | Standard | Method |
| EU (Default) | Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 | GC-MS/MS — EN 15662 (QuEChERS) |
| US | 40 CFR Part 180 | GC-MS/MS — FDA PAM |
| China | GB 2763 | GC-MS/MS — GB 23200.113 |
Microbiological Specifications
| Parameter | EU / US Standard | China Standard | Test Method |
| Salmonella spp. | Negative / 25 g | Negative / 25 g | ISO 6579-1 / GB 4789.4 |
| Escherichia coli | <10 CFU/g | <10 CFU/g | ISO 16649-2 / GB 4789.38 |
| Yeast & Mold | <1,000 CFU/g | <1,000 CFU/g | ISO 21527-1 / GB 4789.15 |
| Aerobic Plate Count | <100,000 CFU/g | <10,000 CFU/g | ISO 4833-1 / GB 4789.2 |
| Enterobacteriaceae | <1,000 CFU/g | <1,000 CFU/g | ISO 21528-2 |
| Bacillus cereus | <100 CFU/g | <100 CFU/g | ISO 7932 |
Application Notes
Special Grade ASTA200+ paprika powder serves specialized industrial and premium consumer applications where maximum color intensity is required.
| Application Segment | Suitability | Notes |
| Oleoresin extraction | ★★★★★ | Highest oleoresin yield — every kg yields more color extract than any other grade |
| Natural food color blends | ★★★★★ | Ideal raw material for clean-label color formulations |
| Premium color blends (retail) | ★★★★★ | Used to boost blended batch ASTA values |
| Premium retail seasoning blends | ★★★★☆ | Exceptional color; premium priced — use where visible shelf-color matters |
| Snack coatings (top-tier) | ★★★★☆ | Color remains vibrant at lower inclusion rates |
| Blending to target ASTA | ★★★★★ | Blending 10–20% ASTA200+ powder lifts blend ASTA by 40–80 points |
| Canned & bottled sauces | ★★★☆☆ | High heat of retort still degrades; consider oleoresin for canned goods |
| Pharmaceutical / nutraceutical | ★★★★☆ | Natural color for tablet coatings and supplements |
Best For: Oleoresin extraction operations, natural color manufacturers, high-end specialty spice blends, and boosting the color value of blended paprika powder lots.
Processing Recommendations
- Recommended solvent: Hexane or ethanol (food-grade, per customer process)
- Expected oleoresin yield: 8–12% w/w with ASTA 1,000+ in finished oleoresin
- Grind optimization: 60–80 mesh recommended for extraction — finer grind increases surface area, improving extraction efficiency by 5–10%
- Extraction temperature: 40–60°C; avoid >70°C to prevent pigment degradation
Powder Blending for Color Enhancement
When used as a color booster in blended paprika powder:
| Target Blend ASTA | Special Grade % | Base Grade % |
| 180 | 20% Special + 80% Premium (160 base) | — |
| 160 | 50% Special + 50% Superior (120 base) | — |
| 140 | 30% Special + 70% Standard (90 base) | — |
| 200 | 100% Special | — |
Dosing (Direct Application)
- Snack coatings: 2–5% w/w of seasoning blend (color impact equivalent to 6–12% Premium powder)
- Dry rubs: 10–25% w/w
- Color-sensitive consumer products: 5–15% w/w of total spice mix
Milling Options
Special Grade is available from standard 40 mesh up to 100 mesh. Note: finer grind reduces bulk density and increases production cost.
Packaging & Logistics
| Parameter | Specification |
| Standard Pack | 25 kg multi-layer kraft paper bag with PE liner |
| Alternative Pack 1 | 20 kg corrugated carton with aluminum foil liner (recommended for oleoresin customers) |
| Alternative Pack 2 | 10 kg vacuum-sealed bag (extends shelf life to 24 months) |
| Palletization | 40 bags (1,000 kg net) per pallet; stretch-wrapped |
| Container Loading (20 ft FCL) | 20 pallets = ~20 MT net |
| Container Loading (40 ft FCL) | 40 pallets = ~40 MT net |
| Container Liner | Recommended — food-grade PE liner |
| Desiccant | 12–18 silica gel sachets per 20 ft container |
Special Shipping Considerations
Given the high pigment concentration, Special Grade is more susceptible to color loss from heat and UV than lower grades. Reefer container (18–22°C, dark) is strongly recommended for all shipments exceeding 20 days transit or with destinations in warm climates.
Storage Stability Data
| Condition | Shelf Life | Expected Outcome |
| 15–20°C, ≤55% RH, dark, sealed | 18–24 months | ASTA loss <10% |
| 20–25°C, ≤60% RH, dark | 12–15 months | ASTA loss 10–15% |
| 25–30°C, ≤60% RH, dark | 9–12 months | ASTA loss 15–20% |
| >30°C or >65% RH | Not recommended | Rapid degradation; >30% ASTA loss in 6 months |
| Vacuum-sealed (foil) | 24 months at ≤25°C | Best option for long-term storage |
| After opening | 2–4 months | Re-seal in airtight container |
Critical: Special Grade has more pigment surface area and is therefore more sensitive to ambient conditions than lower grades. Strict temperature control and complete UV exclusion are non-negotiable.
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.