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Makhana Grades Explained: How Size, Texture, and Quality Impact Trade

Introduction In the makhana trade, quality is not just about appearance. It directly impacts pricing, export acceptance, shelf life, and buyer trust. For anyone sourcing raw makhana — whether for domestic trade or exports — understanding grading is essential. This article explains how makhana is graded and what truly matters in commercial transactions. 1️⃣ Why Grading Matters in Makhana Trade Unlike packaged snacks, raw makhana is an agricultural product. Natural variation is unavoidable. Grading helps standardize: • Size consistency • Texture • Color • Breakage percentage • Cleanliness Without grading, trade disputes become common. 2️⃣ Common Size-Based Grades Makhana is typically categorized by size: Large Size (Premium Grade) Preferred for export and premium retail. Uniform appearance and better expansion during roasting. Medium Size (Standard Commercial Grade) Most widely traded. Balanced between pricing and usability. Small Size (Lower Commercial Grade) Often used for bulk buyers,...
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Storage and Shelf Life of Raw Makhana: What Determines Freshness and Breakage

Raw makhana is sensitive to its environment. Improper storage can undo weeks of careful sourcing and grading, leading to breakage, discoloration, or quality loss. This post explains what actually affects shelf life and freshness in real-world conditions. 1. Moisture Is the Primary Enemy Raw makhana readily absorbs moisture from the air. Even small increases can cause: • Softening • Loss of crispness after roasting • Higher breakage during handling Controlling humidity is more important than temperature in most cases. 2. Ideal Storage Conditions Well-stored raw makhana typically requires: • Dry, ventilated storage areas • Moisture-barrier packaging • Protection from direct floor contact • Minimal handling between storage and dispatch Simple discipline often outperforms expensive infrastructure. 3. Shelf Life Is Conditional, Not Fixed Shelf life depends on: • Initial moisture level at packing • Packaging material used • Climate and transit conditions • Frequency of handling This is why s...
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How Export-Quality Makhana Is Defined (And Where Shipments Often Fail)

Exporting makhana is not just about sourcing a good batch once. The real challenge lies in meeting consistent, buyer-defined quality standards over time. This post explains how export-quality makhana is typically evaluated and why many shipments fail despite looking acceptable at origin. 1. Export Quality Is Buyer-Specific, Not Universal Unlike domestic trade, export quality is rarely a generic standard. Buyers define acceptance based on: • Size range and uniformity • Colour and visual cleanliness • Moisture tolerance • Breakage percentage • Foreign matter limits Two buyers in different countries may reject or accept the same batch for entirely different reasons. 2. The Importance of Pre-Shipment Consistency Most export rejections don’t happen because the product is “bad,” but because it is inconsistent . Common inconsistencies include: • Mixed grades within a single shipment • Moisture variation across bags • Uneven popping or density • Inconsistent cleaning between lots These issues...
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Raw vs Roasted Makhana: Differences in Use, Nutrition, and Cost

Makhana is sold in many forms today, but the most fundamental distinction is between raw makhana and roasted makhana . While they come from the same source, they serve very different purposes across the supply chain. This post outlines how the two differ in practical, nutritional, and commercial terms. 1. What Is Raw Makhana? Raw makhana refers to cleaned, graded fox nuts that have not been roasted or seasoned. It is a base ingredient rather than a finished snack. It is typically used by processors, exporters, roasting units, and private-label brands. 2. What Is Roasted Makhana? Roasted makhana is ready-to-consume and processed using heat, sometimes with oil or seasoning. It is designed for direct retail and consumer sale. Once roasted, the product form and flavour profile are fixed. 3. Differences in Use Raw Makhana • High level of customisation • Longer shelf life when stored correctly • Requires further processing before use • Primarily purchased by businesses (processors, exporte...
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How Raw Makhana Is Sourced, Graded, and Prepared Before Sale

Raw makhana (fox nuts) is often spoken about as a finished product, but very little attention is given to what happens before it reaches a trader, processor, or buyer. In reality, most quality issues, price differences, and supply inconsistencies originate at the sourcing and grading stage. This post outlines how raw makhana is typically sourced and prepared before it is sold further in the supply chain. 1. Sourcing: Where Raw Makhana Comes From Most commercial raw makhana in India originates from specific regions of Bihar, particularly areas with long-standing pond-based cultivation systems. Unlike factory-grown crops, makhana farming is seasonal, labour-intensive, and heavily dependent on local expertise. Key realities at the sourcing stage: • Harvesting is manual and time-consuming • Output varies year to year due to weather and water conditions • Consistency depends more on farmer practices than acreage Because of this, sourcing is less about volume and more about relationships and...
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What Is Raw Makhana and How It Is Traditionally Used

Raw makhana, also known as fox nuts or lotus seeds, is an agricultural produce that has been used in Indian households for generations. It is obtained from the seeds of the lotus plant, which grows in freshwater ponds in certain regions of India. In its raw form, makhana is unprocessed. After harvesting, the seeds are dried, cleaned, and shelled, but they are not roasted or seasoned. Because of this, raw makhana is commonly treated as an ingredient rather than a ready-to-eat product. Traditionally, raw makhana has been prepared at home by lightly roasting it before use. Depending on the region, it may be consumed on its own, added to vegetable dishes, curries, or used in milk-based preparations. The preparation methods were usually simple, focusing on texture and freshness rather than strong flavors. Raw makhana is also valued for its flexibility. Since it is unprocessed, it can be adapted for different cooking styles and recipes, allowing households to prepare it according to their pr...
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About Makhana Farm Co.

Makhana Farm Co. is an Indian agri-food brand focused on sourcing and supplying premium quality raw makhana (fox nuts). Raw makhana is an agricultural produce traditionally grown in freshwater ponds and used across India for home cooking, retail, and further processing. The quality of raw makhana depends on careful harvesting, drying, grading, and storage. Our focus is on transparency, responsible sourcing, and maintaining consistency in raw makhana quality. By working closely with farms and following proper handling practices, we aim to preserve the natural characteristics of this traditional Indian produce. This blog is intended to share general information about raw makhana, its sourcing, and its use as an unprocessed agricultural ingredient. Learn more at Makhana Farm
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