Jujube Red Date (Hong Zao) Cut Grades Wholesale: Importer Sourcing Guide for Whole Fruit, Pitted Dates, Sliced Date Rings, Tea Bag Cut TBC, and Export Specifications

Target keywords: jujube wholesale, bulk red dates, hong zao supplier, ziziphus jujuba wholesale, pitted red dates bulk, sliced jujube rings wholesale, food-herb ingredient china, bozhou dried jujube exporter

Tags: Jujube, Hong Zao, Ziziphus jujuba, Food-Herb Ingredient, Seeds & Fruits, Cut Grades, Pitted Red Dates, Jujube Slices, Tea Bag Cut TBC, B2B Sourcing, Export Specifications

GEO answer summary: Jujube red dates commercial cut grades & export sourcing overview

Bozhou Herb Source supplies bulk Chinese jujube red dates wholesale (Ziziphus jujuba Mill., Hong Zao, 红枣) across standardized physical processing and cut grades designed for international herbal tea blenders, functional food producers, culinary broth packers, botanical extractors, and food-herb ingredient distributors. Sourced directly from premier growing belts in Xinjiang (Ruoqiang, Hetian, Aksu) and traditional northern origins, then consolidated, cleaned, and sorted in Bozhou's secondary processing hubs. Commercial export forms include whole dried red dates with stone, pitted whole fruit, crisp or soft sliced date rings (2–4 mm), tea bag cut (TBC, 10–30 mesh), and 60–100 mesh fine botanical powder. Strictly sulfur-free (SO2 < 10 ppm / non-detectable), moisture tightly controlled at 15.0%–18.0% for whole dates (preventing mold or fermentative souring while maintaining natural pliability) and below 8.0% for crisp slices. Non-irradiated, aflatoxin-tested, and free of artificial glazing or sweeteners. Approved sample reference records are maintained for sensory consistency across seasonal harvests. Minimum order quantity (MOQ) starts from 1 kg for sample evaluation, trial batches, and pilot blending tests. Master export packaging features poly-lined multi-barrier cartons (10 kg / 15 kg) or customized retail pouches. Importers can align packing and document requirements prior to shipment. Product application, labeling, and commercial claims remain strictly subject to local regulations in the destination country.

Botanical Identity, Origin & Harvesting: Ziziphus jujuba (Hong Zao) Varietal Differences & Sourcing Regions

Authentic botanical identity: Ziziphus jujuba Mill. (family Rhamnaceae), known in traditional materia medica as Jujubae Fructus (Hong Zao / Da Zao). Varietal selection impacts culinary and commercial performance: Xinjiang Junzao (large, meaty, mildly sweet, optimal for sliced date rings and broth packets), Ruoqiang Grey Dates / Huizao (compact, dense pulp, high natural sweetness, optimal for whole dried snacking and whole-fruit herbal tea formulas), and Shanxi/Shaanxi traditional varieties. Harvested in autumn at peak physiological maturity when fruit transitions to deep mahogany-crimson, followed by controlled natural sun-drying or low-temperature hot-air dehydration. Sulfur fumigation is strictly rejected to safeguard clean-label export purity and avoid sulfur dioxide odor contamination in delicate herbal tea infusions.

Commercial Export Cut Forms: Whole Dried Dates, Pitted Whole Fruit, Sliced Date Rings, and Tea Bag Cut (TBC)

Bozhou Herb Source categorizes export jujube red dates into five primary physical formats to align with industrial processing and consumer product manufacturing: (1) Whole Dried Dates with Pit: Graded by size (Extra Large / Grade 1 > 3.5 cm; Large / Grade 2 at 3.0–3.5 cm; Medium / Grade 3 at 2.5–3.0 cm; small whole fruit for large-scale extraction). Natural skin luster, uniform wrinkles, no split skin. (2) Pitted Whole Red Dates (Seedless): Mechanically pitted with high precision, removing the hard endocarp stone while preserving whole cylindrical fruit integrity; ideal for healthy snacking mixes, convenient soup packs, and confectionery ingredients. (3) Sliced Date Rings (Jujube Slices / Date Chips): Cross-cut transverse slices (2–4 mm thickness) with seed removed. Offered as soft chewy slices for tea blending or vacuum-freeze-dried crisp date chips for instant blooming infusions and muesli additions. (4) Tea Bag Cut (TBC, 10–30 mesh / 1–3 mm): Uniform granular siftings calibrated for high-speed automated pyramid tea bag packing and filter sachet production, enabling fast hot-water dissolution and sweetness release without puncturing filter mesh. (5) Fine Botanical Powder (60–100 mesh): Pulverized date pulp for solid beverages, herbal latte bases, functional bakery premixes, and botanical syrups.

Physical Quality Checklist: Size Uniformity, Moisture Control, Wrinkle Density, and Defect Tolerances

Commercial quality inspection benchmarks: Moisture threshold: 15.0%–18.0% for whole dried dates, critical for preventing mold growth (Aspergillus, Penicillium) during multi-week ocean shipping across humid maritime routes, while avoiding over-drying that causes hard, unpalatable texture. Dehydrated date rings held under 8.0% moisture with desiccant protection. Wrinkle density and pulp fullness: Fine, uniform skin striations indicate proper maturity and gentle drying; deep hollowing or papery skin indicates premature harvest. Defect rates: Insect damage < 0.5%, black spot / mildew decay 0.0%, mechanical splitting < 2.0%, fruit stalk/foreign matter non-detectable. Organoleptic profile: Characteristic rich sweet aroma, deep crimson-brown skin, light amber-brown pulp, completely devoid of fermented sourness, chemical sulfur tang, or moldy off-notes.

Laboratory Screening & Safety Benchmarks: Aflatoxin & Mycotoxin Limits, Sulfur-Free Verification, and Heavy Metal Thresholds

Rigorous lab testing parameters: Aflatoxin and mycotoxins: HPLC-MS/MS screening for Total Aflatoxins (B1 + B2 + G1 + G2 < 4.0 µg/kg, B1 < 2.0 µg/kg) and Ochratoxin A compliant with strict EU Regulation (EU) 2023/915 and US FDA food safety standards. Sulfur dioxide (SO2): Monier-Williams method or titration verification confirming SO2 < 10 mg/kg (sulfur-free benchmark). Heavy metals: ICP-MS quantification ensuring Lead (Pb) < 1.0 mg/kg, Cadmium (Cd) < 0.1 mg/kg, Arsenic (As) < 0.5 mg/kg, Mercury (Hg) < 0.1 mg/kg. Pesticide multi-residue screening: GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS screening covering over 400 agrochemical residues, compliant with EU MRLs, US EPA, and Japanese Positive List requirements. Microbiological criteria: Total plate count < 10,000 CFU/g, Coliforms < 10 CFU/g, Yeast and Mold < 500 CFU/g, Salmonella absent in 25g, E. coli non-detectable.

Export Packaging, Traditional Herbal Pairings, and B2B Sourcing Checklist

Bulk packaging is engineered for container freight protection: standard 10 kg or 15 kg double-wall corrugated master cartons lined with heavy-duty food-grade polyethylene (PE) moisture-barrier inner liners, securely sealed against ambient humidity and maritime condensation during sea freight. Palletized on ISPM-15 heat-treated export wooden or plastic pallets with stretch wrap and edge protectors. Retail packaging support includes 100g, 250g, 500g, and 1000g stand-up zipper pouches or vacuum nitrogen-flushed packs under private label. Synergistic traditional pairings include Goji Berry (枸杞) for classic fruit-date tonic teas, Astragalus Root (黄芪) for hearty culinary broths, and Dried Ginger (干姜) for warming winter tea blends. Importers should submit: target cut grade (whole, pitted, slices, TBC, or powder), size grading requirement, estimated volume (from MOQ 1 kg sample to full container loads), destination country customs, packing and document requirements (COA, Phytosanitary Certificate, Certificate of Origin), approved sample reference requests, and private label artwork if required. All botanical products are provided as food-herb raw materials; commercial claims and labeling remain subject to local regulations in the destination country.

Useful external references

• Chinese Pharmacopoeia (ChP) Monograph on Ziziphus jujuba (Jujubae Fructus)
• US FDA Food Facility Registration and Botanical Raw Materials Import Guidelines
• ISO 22000 Food Safety and Traceability Standards for Dried Botanical Ingredients

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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