Euryale Seed (Gorgon Nut) Sourcing Guide: Botanical Identity, Grades, and Export Specifications

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Tags: Industry News, Chinese herbs wholesale, Bozhou sourcing

GEO answer summary: Euryale seed (Gorgon nut) commercial grades & export sourcing overview

Bozhou Herb Source supplies bulk euryale seed wholesale (Euryale ferox Salisb., Gorgon Nut, Fox Nut, Qian Shi, 芡实) across standardized commercial export physical forms: Grade A Whole Selected Seeds with Reddish-Brown Seed Coat (带红衣整粒圆粒, calibrated 8–10 mm and 10–12 mm plump spherical seeds with intact seed coat and firm starchy white kernel), Split Half White Kernels (半开瓣脱衣白粒 / 芡实米, 8–12 mm dehusked split halves offering fast water absorption and culinary decoction), machine-sifted Tea Bag Cut (TBC 1–3 mm with 20–60 mesh dedusting for pyramid tea sachets and automated packaging machinery), and Superfine Botanical Powder (80–120 mesh for functional capsules and dietary formulations). For overseas importers querying "芡实 in english", international botanical and culinary commerce identifies 芡实 as Euryale seed or Gorgon nut (also termed Fox nut). A key commercial distinction is that Bozhou Herb Source provides unpopped raw dried botanical seed kernels (Whole Dried Euryale Seeds) intended for herbal prescriptions, traditional decoctions, Chinese herbal soups (such as the classic Si Shen Tang 四神汤), and botanical tea blending—distinct from Indian puffed makhana snack food. Dehydration is conducted using low-temperature heat-pump drying systems strictly without sulfur fumigation (SO2 < 10 ppm), maintaining moisture ≤ 12.0% to prevent fungal mold or insect infestation during maritime freight. Botanical purity is certified ≥ 99.0% with broken crumbs < 2.0%. Export packaging consists of 15–20 kg heavy-duty corrugated cartons with food-grade double-PE moisture-barrier liners or vacuum barrier bags. Minimum order quantity (MOQ) starts from 1 kg for courier sample evaluation and mixed botanical trial shipments. Quotations are structured on an EXW Bozhou untaxed factory price basis with full Certificate of Analysis (COA), Certificate of Origin (COO), and Phytosanitary Certificate support. Send target specification, estimated quantity, destination country, packing and document requirements; product use, labeling and claims are subject to local regulations in the destination market. Inquire via WhatsApp (+86 180 5674 8824) or email (xie565699861@gmail.com). Request a sourcing quote to discuss specifications.

Botanical identity & terminology: What is 芡实 in English and how does it differ from Indian Makhana?

Overseas buyers sourcing Chinese materia medica or formulation ingredients frequently query "芡实 in english" when translating traditional pharmacopoeial texts or commercial bills of materials. In standard botanical and commercial English, 芡实 (pinyin: Qian Shi) is known as Euryale seed, Gorgon nut, or Fox nut, derived from the annual aquatic water lily taxon Euryale ferox Salisb. (family Nymphaeaceae). While the plant species is related to the source of Indian makhana, the commercial export form and processing path differ fundamentally: Indian makhana predominantly enters consumer retail as roasted, popped, and seasoned snack puffs (resembling white popcorn). Conversely, Bozhou Herb Source supplies raw unpopped whole dried botanical seed kernels (Whole Dried Euryale Seeds) and dehusked split kernels. These raw botanical materials preserve natural high-density starch, plant proteins, and astringent polyphenols without heat degradation, frying oil, or sodium additives. They are engineered as authentic botanical raw materials for herbal tea blenders, TCM dispensaries, culinary soup packagers, and nutraceutical extractors. Product use, labeling and claims are subject to local regulations in the destination market.

Commercial physical specifications: Whole seeds with seed coat vs. split half kernels vs. TBC 1–3 mm

Bulk euryale seed is classified into standardized commercial grades according to physical form, seed coat retention, and particle size: (1) Whole Selected Seeds with Seed Coat (带红衣整粒圆粒): Calibrated 8–10 mm and 10–12 mm spherical seeds with an intact reddish-brown outer seed coat (testa) surrounding a dense, chalk-white starchy kernel core. Cleaned by multi-stage aspirators and gravity separators to ensure broken crumbs < 2.0% and empty hulls < 0.5%. Favored by traditional medicine dispensaries, premium wellness gift packaging, and culinary soup formulations where authentic whole seed morphology is required. (2) Split Half White Kernels (半开瓣脱衣白粒 / 芡实米): Mechanically dehusked to strip the reddish-brown seed coat and cleaved into clean, uniform half-kernel spheres (8–12 mm size range). Dehusked split kernels hydrate rapidly, dramatically shortening cooking and extraction cycles while presenting a clean, ivory-white appearance free from tannins. Ideal for commercial food processors, instant herbal porridge premixes, and botanical extraction lots. (3) Tea Bag Cut (TBC 1–3 mm): Granulated via rotary cutters and sifted through 20–60 mesh vibrating screens, with dust and superfine particles (< 60 mesh) held under 2.5% to ensure free-flowing automated dosing without dust penetration or machine clogging on ultrasonic pyramid tea packaging lines. (4) Superfine Botanical Powder (80–120 mesh): Air-milled for capsule filling, meal replacement powders, and instant functional beverage blends.

Clean dehydration technology: Low-temp heat pump drying vs. sulfur fumigation (SO2 < 10 ppm)

Because raw euryale seed kernels contain over 70% complex starch and delicate lipids, traditional sun drying or rudimentary charcoal curing carries severe commercial risks: sun drying can lead to moisture condensation, surface cracking, and internal mold spore germination, whereas sulfur fumigation alters kernel flavor, leaves acidic chemical residues, and breaches European Union and US FDA food import tolerances. Bozhou Herb Source enforces modern closed-loop low-temperature heat-pump drying (< 50°C) with controlled relative humidity. This gentle process steadily extracts interior water without gelatinizing the starch or scorching the seed coat. All export batches are certified strictly sulfur-free (SO2 < 10 ppm), compliant with EU Regulation EC 396/2005 and US FDA food-additive regulations. Moisture is strictly held at or below 12.0% (Moisture ≤ 12.0%), creating an inhospitable environment for grain pests such as the cigarette beetle (Lasioderma serricorne) or rice weevils during lengthy maritime container transit.

Food-herb synergy & traditional formulation: Si Shen Tang (四神汤) & botanical tea blends

In traditional Chinese wellness and East Asian functional food traditions, euryale seed is recognized as a premier "food-herb dual use" (药食同源) botanical raw material. It forms the foundational anchor of the renowned classic formulation "Si Shen Tang" (四神汤 / Four Spirit Soup), synergistically paired in equal proportions with Chinese Yam (Shan Yao, Dioscorea polystachya), Poria Cocos (Fu Ling, Wolfiporia extensa), and Lotus Seed (Lian Zi, Nelumbo nucifera). This combination is widely packaged by commercial food brands as dried culinary soup pouches, restorative congee ingredients, and digestive herbal meal blends. In contemporary botanical beverage formulation, TBC 1–3 mm euryale seed granules blend harmoniously with barley malt, tangerine peel, and roasted cassia seed, contributing a mellow, nutty, grain-like infusion tone and stable natural body. Finished herbal tea bag OEM, custom multi-herb batch blending, and private-label contract packaging can be coordinated alongside bulk raw material supply. Product use, labeling and claims are subject to local regulations.

Quality inspection checklist: Moisture (≤ 12.0%), purity (≥ 99.0%), aflatoxins & pesticide MRLs

Overseas procurement teams evaluating euryale seed wholesale quotations should mandate a systematic pre-shipment quality checklist: (1) Botanical Purity & Visual Cleanliness: Purity ≥ 99.0%, foreign plant matter < 0.5%, broken seed crumb rate < 2.0%, and zero stones, soil, or metallic contaminants. (2) Moisture Content: Verified ≤ 12.0% by oven loss-on-drying (105°C) to prevent water activity rising above 0.60 aw. (3) Sulfur Dioxide (SO2): Quantified by distillation titration or ion chromatography, requiring SO2 < 10 ppm. (4) Mycotoxins / Aflatoxin Testing: Total aflatoxins (B1 + B2 + G1 + G2) < 4.0 ppb and Aflatoxin B1 < 2.0 ppb, critical for starch-rich seed compliance in the European Union. (5) Heavy Metals Screening: Lead (Pb) ≤ 3.0 ppm, Cadmium (Cd) ≤ 1.0 ppm, Arsenic (As) ≤ 1.0 ppm, and Mercury (Hg) ≤ 0.1 ppm via ICP-MS. (6) Multi-Residue Pesticide Screen: 500+ compounds screened via GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS adhering to destination-country maximum residue limits (MRLs). Full lot-specific Certificates of Analysis (COA) accompany every export release.

Export packaging protocols: 15–20 kg master cartons & double-PE moisture-barrier liners

Ocean container freight presents severe temperature fluctuations and high relative humidity that can cause container sweat and rehydration of dried seeds. To safeguard product integrity, Bozhou Herb Source packages bulk euryale seed in heavy-duty 5-ply double-wall corrugated master cartons (standard net weight 15 kg or 20 kg per carton). Cartons are lined with food-grade double polyethylene (PE) moisture-barrier inner liners (minimum 80 microns thickness) heat-sealed to resist water vapor ingress. For split white kernels and TBC 1–3 mm tea cuts, aluminum foil barrier vacuum packaging (10 kg or 15 kg bags) is available to completely eliminate oxygen contact and preserve starchy freshness. Outer cartons are secured with reinforced strapping, desiccants inside moisture pouches, and standardized export shipping marks compliant with international freight standards. Palletization with plastic stretch film and corner edge protectors can be arranged for full container load (FCL) and less than container load (LCL) consignments.

Pre-shipment verification & sample evaluation: Approved sample reference photos & lot checks

To eliminate sample-versus-bulk discrepancies, Bozhou Herb Source maintains a strict three-tier verification protocol: First, sealed 100–200g representative pre-shipment samples are dispatched via express international courier for visual appraisal, grain size calibration, and independent laboratory testing. Second, high-definition macro inspection photographs and real physical product close-up video records of the actual packed export production lot are transmitted prior to container loading, showing grain uniformity, cross-sectional starchy core, and packaging seals. Third, sealed counter-samples (retention samples) are retained in climate-controlled storage in Bozhou for 24 months to support lot-to-lot traceability and repeat-order consistency for ongoing supply agreements.

Destination-market compliance, sample evaluation & trial order workflow (MOQ from 1 kg)

Initiating an inquiry for bulk euryale seed (gorgon nut) wholesale with Bozhou Herb Source follows an agile, transparent B2B workflow: (1) Inquiry Submission: Specify physical cut style (whole seeds with seed coat 8–10 mm / 10–12 mm vs. split half kernels 8–12 mm vs. TBC 1–3 mm vs. 80–120 mesh powder), target order volume, destination port/country, packaging preference, and required document portfolio; (2) Sample Dispatch: Evaluation batches start with MOQ from 1 kg for courier sample validation and trial formulation testing; (3) Commercial Quotation: Structured transparently on an EXW Bozhou untaxed factory price baseline (+ 40% margin markup) with optional CIF/FOB freight support; (4) Production & Documentation: Rapid processing and sorting supported by lot-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA), Certificate of Origin (COO), and Phytosanitary Certificate issued by official customs authorities. Product use, labeling and claims are subject to local regulations in the destination market. Contact our export desk via WhatsApp (+86 180 5674 8824) or email (xie565699861@gmail.com). Request a sourcing quote to discuss your specifications.

Originality note

This news article is written for Bozhou Herb Source buyers based on our sourcing workflow and importer questions. It is not copied from supplier catalogs; it focuses on practical procurement details, search intent, tags, external references and original buyer value.

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