Heat level, color or price are just several of the most essential parameters which influence customers’ decisions when buying dry red chillies. However, apart from them there is another quality parameter which is extremely significant in the spice industry. The name of this parameter is ASTA Color.
Did you know that ASTA value determines the bright red color of the chilli powder? For spice producers, food processors, chilli exporters and importers ASTA Color is one of the key criteria which is used in assessing the quality of dry red chillies.
The higher ASTA value means that the chilli contains a lot of natural red pigments and can be used for production of products where certain color of the ingredient is required in addition to its taste.
That is why ASTA Color is so important for many customers in the world who choose a type of the chilli.
To be able to make better purchases spice exporters, food processors and importers should know more about ASTA Color. In this article we will provide information about what it is, why is it so important and how to measure it.
What Is ASTA Colour?
ASTA is short for the American Spice Trade Association, which has developed world-renowned quality criteria for various types of spices. The ASTA Colour Value is one of the criteria used to measure the richness of natural red pigments contained in dried chillies.
In simple terms, ASTA Colour will tell you how colourful the natural red pigmentation of a chilli is.
The higher the ASTA value, the more powerful colouring potential a chilli has. The importance of ASTA Colour Value becomes evident when producing chilli powder, curry powder, spice mixes, sauces, and other products, where the colour is essential.
However, it is vital to keep in mind that ASTA Colour Value is purely related to colour. It does not provide any information about spiciness or strength of chilli's taste.
What Makes ASTA Colour Important?
Just like the taste of food, its appearance is very important in the food industry. People generally tend to prefer bright red curry, spices, and chilies as they provide the best first impression and indicate freshness and high quality.
This is the main reason why ASTA colour has become an important indicator of quality.
The ASTA colour in chillies is beneficial for manufacturers and exporters in many ways:
- Create naturally colorful food products
- Decrease usage of artificial food coloring
- Maintain uniformity of spices
- Make the product look more appealing
- Meet quality standards of international buyers
Consistency of color is very important for companies that manufacture foods on a mass scale. It allows for keeping their products looking the same throughout the production process.
What Is The ASTA Colour Test?
The ASTA Colour is measured via an established lab test procedure.
As part of the test procedure, the natural pigments present in the dried chillies are extracted and tested with specialized equipment. According to the concentration of pigments, an ASTA Colour Value for the chilli is determined.
Although the test procedure takes place in labs, it is not necessary for buyers to know the details of the process. It is sufficient for buyers to be aware of the ASTA Colour of the product that they want to purchase.
Established suppliers will normally include ASTA Colour among their product specifications.
Understanding ASTA Colour Values
ASTA values can vary depending on several factors, including the chilli variety, cultivation practices, climate, harvesting time, and post-harvest handling.
As a general guide, ASTA Colour values can be classified as follows:
| ASTA Colour Value | Colour Quality |
|---|---|
| Below 80 ASTA | Low Colour |
| 80–120 ASTA | Medium Colour |
| 120–160 ASTA | High Colour |
| Above 160 ASTA | Premium Colour |
In the above table the aesthetic appeal plays a major role like chilli powder, sauces, mixtures, etc., ASTA value should be high. However, at this point, one should remember that even a high ASTA value does not mean that the chilli is of high quality; the decision depends on the final usage of chilli.
Why ASTA Colour is Important to Buyers:
When buying chillies either for food manufacturing, spicing or exporting, ASTA colour may affect the end quality of the produce.
By knowing the ASTA value, buyers will be able to:
- Select the best variety of chillies depending on what they need.
- Ensure consistency in terms of product quality for each batch.
- Minimize dependency on artificial coloring.
- Meet customer satisfaction in terms of appearances.
- Purchase products based on internationally recognized quality.
Here at Agrocrops Spices, we know that each client has its unique needs. This is the reason we make sure that our customers get the best quality dried red chillies by sourcing premium grade dried red chillies from reliable farming areas in India.
No matter the variety and level of ASTA value required, we will guide you through the process of getting the best product for your business.
What Are the Factors That Influence ASTA Colour in Red Chilli?
Although the variety of the chilli is one of the major factors that determine the ASTA Colour of a chilli, there are other factors that may also contribute to influencing the colour. The same chilli variety will have its ASTA Colour reduced when it is not processed in the right way.
Some of the factors that affect ASTA Colour include:
- Chilli Variety
- Right Time for Harvesting
- Drying Processes
- Storage Process
- Cleaning and Grading Processes
Why Select Agrocrops Spices?
Selection of the correct chilli variety isn’t enough by itself – selecting a reliable supplier capable of delivering consistently high-quality product that precisely matches your specifications is just as important.
Agrocrops Spices is a company specializing in procurement and distribution of high-quality Indian dry red chillies to our clients all over the domestic and global market. Working closely with trusted local farmers of these products’ main growing areas ensures consistent high quality of color, strength, purity and freshness of our chillies.
Be it the colorful Byadgi chilli, high-performing Guntur chilli or powerful Teja chilli, we’ll help you select the variety that suits your needs most perfectly.
All of our products undergo processing and packing aimed at preserving their quality properties while fulfilling industry and export norms. That’s why we’re proud to have established ourselves as a reliable supplier of spices to spice producers, food processors, wholesalers, retailers and importers.
Who Benefits from High ASTA Chillies?
The industries that make use of high-ASTA chillies are extensive and include those industries where natural color is an important product feature.
These are some of the most notable ones:
- Spices production
- Food products processing
- Production of sauces and condiments
- Production of ready to eat or ready to cook products
- Seasoning for snack manufacturers
- Extraction of oleoresins
- Export and international spices trade
In these industries, the uniformity of color is not just an aesthetic factor but also meets their requirements to ensure consistency in all products.
Conclusion:
ASTA Colour is one of the most valuable parameters of quality when it comes to red chilli. It shows how good the coloration abilities of a particular chilli are. Although this parameter doesn't influence heat and taste of the product, it still plays a crucial role in the looks of end products like chilli powder, seasoning, sauces, and spice blends.
Knowing ASTA values allows buyers to choose the appropriate chilli variety depending on what exactly they need instead of just choosing it according to its looks. Taking into consideration such criteria as SHU level, water content, purity, and food safety requirements, ASTA Colour becomes one of the most valuable parameters of the purchase decision.
At Agrocrops Spices, we are dedicated to offering premium quality of Indian dry red chillies. Our products will always be characterized by high levels of color intensity, freshness, and consistency, starting from the process of raw material procurement and finishing with quality control and packing at our factories.
Regardless of whether you are a spice manufacturer, a food processor, a wholesaler, or exporter of products made with our chillies, our specialists will gladly assist you in choosing the appropriate chilli varieties for your needs.
FAQs
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What is meant by ASTA Colour in dry red chillies?
ASTA Colour is a measure of the strength of the natural red pigments in dried chillies. The higher the ASTA value the better the ability to colour and so it is ideal for products where looks are important.
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Is ASTA Colour equivalent to a chilli’s heat level?
No. ASTA Colour measures colour and Scoville Heat Units (SHU) measures pungency. A chilli may have a high ASTA value but still be comparatively mild in heat.
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Which variety of Indian chili has high ASTA value?
One of the most popular Byadgi chilli varieties is famous for its excellent ASTA Colour and is the variety of choice for chilli powder, spice blends and natural food colouring.
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Why exporters worry about ASTA Colour?
The ASTA Colour requirements are frequently stated in the purchase specifications by international buyers to ensure consistency in the colour and quality of the final product.
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Why do you choose Agrocrops Spices for your dry red chillies sourcing?
Agrocrops Spices is committed to providing the best quality Indian dry red chillies to the global food manufacturing, spice processing, wholesale, retail and import markets through a combination of carefully sourced raw materials, rigorous quality control and reliable supply.
