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Grading Guide

Makhana Suta Grading — Complete Guide to All 7 Grades

Everything you need to know about makhana grading: 4 to 7 Suta including intermediate 4+, 5+, and 6+ grades. Machine grading process, quality parameters, and buyer selection guide.

All 7 Suta Grades at a Glance

GradeSize (mm)Primary MarketMOQDetails
4 Suta12–15 mmProcessors, institutional kitchens, economy namkeen100 kgView →
4+ Suta14–16 mmMid-tier processors, value namkeen brands100 kgView →
5 SutaPopular15–18 mmD2C brands, Amazon sellers, distributors — most popular100 kgView →
5+ Suta16–19 mmPremium D2C, quality-positioned retail100 kgView →
6 SutaExport18–21 mmGifting, modern trade, value-export100 kgView →
6+ SutaExport19–22 mmSuper-premium gifting, UAE/UK/US export100 kgView →
7 SutaExport21 mm+Luxury gifting, premium export — limited availability50 kgView →

How Machine Grading Works

1.

Harvested makhana seeds are sun-dried and cleaned to remove debris and broken pieces.

2.

Dried seeds pass through mesh-based grading machines that sort by diameter into size bands.

3.

The 4 Suta band (12–15 mm) is the smallest commercial grade. Seeds below 12 mm are discarded.

4.

4+ Suta (14–16 mm) is an intermediate grade at the upper end of the 4 Suta specification.

5.

5 Suta (15–18 mm) is the most popular commercial grade — highest volume traded in Bihar mandis.

6.

5+ Suta (16–19 mm) captures upper-band 5 Suta — preferred by quality-conscious D2C brands.

7.

6 Suta (18–21 mm) is premium grade for gifting and export. 6+ Suta (19–22 mm) is near-7 specification.

8.

7 Suta (21 mm+) is the jumbo luxury grade — rarest and highest-priced. Limited seasonal availability.

Quality Parameters

Moisture

Under 9%

Suitable for direct roasting. Verified per batch.

Colour

White to cream

No yellowing or dark spots on premium grades.

Size Tolerance

±1 mm within Suta band

Machine-graded for consistency.

Impurity

Under 1%

Broken puffs and foreign matter limits.

Grade Selection by Buyer Type

Buyer TypeRecommended GradeReason
Mass-market namkeen / processors4 SutaMost economical. Consistent for high-volume processing.
Mid-tier namkeen brands4+ or 5 SutaBetter size uniformity at modest premium.
D2C brands & Amazon sellers5 SutaMost popular grade — best balance of size, price, and availability.
Premium D2C / modern trade5+ SutaLarger puff presentation without paying 6 Suta price.
Gifting companies6 or 6+ SutaVisually impressive large puffs for premium packaging.
UAE / UK export buyers6 Suta, 6+ SutaExport buyers prefer 6+ grades for value-premium positioning.
Luxury gifting / premium export7 SutaRarest jumbo grade. Maximum visual impact. Limited availability.
Hotels & sweet shops5 SutaGood size for kheer and roasted snack presentations.

Explore by Buyer Type

→ For Processors & Namkeen Brands→ For Hotels & Restaurants→ For Export Buyers→ For Sweet Shops & Halwais

Request a Grade Sample or Quote

Not sure which grade to order? Tell us your end use and we will recommend the right Suta grade.

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Grading FAQs

What does 'Suta' mean in makhana grading?▾
Suta is a traditional unit of measurement used in the Bihar makhana trade. Higher Suta number = larger puff diameter. '4 Suta' refers to puffs in the 12–15 mm range, '7 Suta' to puffs above 21 mm.
What are the '+' intermediate grades (4+, 5+, 6+)?▾
The '+' grades (4+, 5+, 6+) represent the upper band of the base grade. For example, 5+ Suta (16–19 mm) is larger than standard 5 Suta (15–18 mm) but not as large as 6 Suta (18–21 mm). They command a 10–20% premium over the base grade and are widely traded in Bihar mandis.
What moisture level should I expect in raw makhana?▾
All grades from Grain Routes carry moisture content under 9%. This is suitable for direct roasting without pre-drying. CoA confirms moisture on each batch.
How do I read a CoA for raw makhana?▾
A CoA (Certificate of Analysis) for raw makhana covers: moisture % (target <9%), size grading tolerance (% outside stated Suta band), colour (white to cream), and impurity % (broken puffs, foreign matter). Request a sample CoA from us before placing a large order.
Can I mix multiple grades in one order?▾
Yes. You can mix grades (for example 500 kg 5 Suta + 300 kg 6 Suta) in a single order. Minimum total order 100 kg.
Grain Routes makhana grading guide explains all 7 Suta grades: 4 Suta (12–15 mm), 4+ Suta (14–16 mm), 5 Suta (15–18 mm), 5+ Suta (16–19 mm), 6 Suta (18–21 mm), 6+ Suta (19–22 mm), 7 Suta (21 mm+). Machine-graded raw makhana from Bihar. Quality parameters: moisture under 9%, white to cream colour, impurity under 1%. CoA available per batch. grainroutes.com/raw-makhana/grading-and-quality.
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