Candlenut Quality Specifications – Moisture, Purity, Defects & Export QC Guide

IEC | INDONESIA EXPORT CENTER

INDONESIAN CANDLENUTS / KEMIRI

Premium Export Quality from Indonesia

PRODUCT QUALITY | MOISTURE | FOREIGN MATTER | SAMPLING | CERTIFICATE OF ANALYSIS

For International Quality Control Teams, Ingredient Procurement Managers, Spice Importers & Food Manufacturers

Understanding Candlenut Quality Specifications

Clear candlenut quality specifications help international buyers evaluate Indonesian kemiri before placing bulk orders.

Candlenuts are oil-rich agricultural kernels traditionally used in suitable cooked culinary preparations. For commercial sourcing, buyers should define measurable requirements for moisture, kernel integrity, purity, foreign matter, appearance, and relevant safety parameters.

A supplier’s marketing grade is not a substitute for a written technical specification.

IEC | Indonesia Export Center facilitates Indonesian candlenut sourcing enquiries and welcomes buyer requests involving technical specifications, samples, laboratory documentation, and quality verification.

REQUEST CANDLENUT QUALITY INFORMATION

Indonesian Candlenut Reference Specifications

Parameter	Supplied Reference
Product	Candlenuts / Kemiri
Botanical Name	Aleurites moluccanus
Origin	Indonesia
Quality Description	Whole Super
Broken Kernels	0.5%
Purity	99%
Moisture	4.9%
Product Form	Dried Kernels
Laboratory Report	To Be Requested
Lot Identification	To Be Confirmed

Important: These figures are supplied promotional reference values. They are not verified test results for an identified commercial lot.

1. Moisture Content

Moisture is an important factor in agricultural ingredient quality.

Excess moisture may contribute to deterioration during storage and transportation.

Buyer Questions

What is the maximum permitted moisture?
Which analytical method will be used?
Is the result measured on the commercial lot?
When was the sample collected?
How was the sample stored before testing?

The reference figure of 4.9% should not be treated as a universal requirement or guaranteed result.

2. Whole and Broken Kernel Percentage

Buyers purchasing whole candlenuts should define what counts as an intact kernel.

Suggested Specification Elements

Minimum whole-kernel percentage
Maximum broken-kernel percentage
Definition of broken material
Sampling method
Weight-based calculation method

The supplied 0.5% broken reference requires verification.

3. Purity and Foreign Matter

Purity should be defined clearly.

Potential unwanted materials may include:

Shell fragments
Dust
Plant debris
Stones
Other extraneous material

A purity value of 99% is not sufficiently informative without an agreed measurement definition.

4. Physical Defects

Buyers may establish acceptance criteria for:

Discoloured kernels
Damaged kernels
Visible mould
Insect damage
Excessive fragmentation
Other visible defects

Inspection procedures should distinguish physical defects from laboratory-detectable hazards.

5. Rancidity and Oil Quality

Candlenuts naturally contain substantial oil.

Unsuitable storage or prolonged exposure to heat and oxygen may contribute to oxidative deterioration.

Depending on the intended application, buyers may consider:

Sensory odour assessment
Relevant oxidative quality testing
Storage history
Packaging condition

The need for particular analytical tests should be determined by the buyer’s product and processing requirements.

6. Food Safety Parameters

For food applications, buyers should establish risk-based requirements for:

Relevant microbiological hazards
Mycotoxins, where applicable
Pesticide residues
Heavy metals
Other destination-market requirements

Raw candlenuts can contain harmful constituents and should not be consumed raw. Buyers must establish appropriate processing controls for the intended food application.

Visual cleanliness does not establish microbiological safety.

7. Sampling and Sample Approval

A sampling plan should identify:

The commercial lot.
The number of packages or locations sampled.
The sampling method.
The sample quantity.
Sample handling.
Testing requirements.
Retained samples.
Acceptance criteria.

A preliminary supplier sample may not represent the final shipment lot.

8. Certificate of Analysis

A useful lot-specific COA should identify:

Product name
Lot or sample reference
Laboratory
Test methods
Analytical parameters
Results
Units
Test date

A COA is only as relevant as the sample, methods, and scope on which it is based.

9. Buyer Quality Specification Template

Parameter	Contract Requirement
Product	Dried Candlenut Kernels
Botanical Identity	Aleurites moluccanus
Origin	Indonesia
Grade	[Define]
Minimum Whole Kernels	[%]
Maximum Broken Kernels	[%]
Minimum Purity	[%]
Maximum Moisture	[%]
Maximum Foreign Matter	[%]
Defect Limits	[Specify]
Microbiological Criteria	[Specify]
Chemical Contaminants	[Specify]
Sampling Method	[Specify]
Laboratory Method	[Specify]
Packaging	[Specify]
Lot Traceability	[Specify]

10. Pre-Shipment Quality Verification

Before releasing a commercial lot, buyers may request:

Lot identification
Physical inspection
Package count
Net weight verification
Sampling
Laboratory testing
Packaging inspection
Document review

Inspection should be conducted according to a defined scope.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good moisture specification for candlenuts?

The appropriate maximum depends on product condition, intended use, storage, and buyer requirements. Agree on a measurable limit rather than relying on a universal claim.

Does Whole Super represent an official standardized grade?

Not necessarily. Buyers should request the supplier’s written grade definition.

Is 99% purity guaranteed?

No. It is a reference value requiring lot-specific verification.

Can I request a COA?

Yes. Buyers may submit laboratory documentation requirements for review.

Are raw candlenuts ready to eat?

No. Raw candlenuts can contain harmful constituents and require appropriate processing for food applications.

Request Candlenut Quality Specifications