Dried Basil Leaves (Ocimum Basilicum) – Sortex Cleaned Prime Green Export Grade

<p>We supply premium export-grade <strong>Dried Basil Leaves</strong> (<em>Ocimum basilicum</em> L., Sweet Genovese Type), sustainably cultivated across Mediterranean and Aegean agricultural valleys. Harvested just before full flowering when volatile foliar terpenes reach peak aromatic density, washed, and dehydrated in computerized low-temperature drying tunnels, our dried sweet basil retains a uniform emerald-to-forest green hue, sweet herbal-peppery aroma, and warm licorice-clove undertones. Rich in naturally occurring <strong>linalool and eugenol</strong>, it is widely supplied to industrial tomato paste, pizza and pasta sauce formulators, dry pesto blenders, cheese/dairy processors, processed meat seasoning blenders, ready-meal manufacturers, and retail spice packers worldwide.</p>

<h3>Key Quality Focus: Controlled Low-Heat Drying &amp; Chlorophyll Retention</h3>

<p>In global culinary herb procurement, sweet basil quality is judged by leaf greenness (chlorophyll retention), freedom from dark/black thermal oxidation, minimal stem presence, and volatile oil stability. Our gentle airflow dehydration prevents enzymatic browning and heat degradation, while multi-deck vibrating sieves and optical color sorters (Sortex) remove yellowed leaves, stalks, and dust—delivering clean, free-flowing rubbed leaves that reconstitute with an instant fresh aroma upon culinary hydration.</p>

<h3>Commercial Cuts &amp; Available Granulations</h3>

<ul>

<li><strong>1. Rubbed Basil Leaves / Flakes (Large Cut – 2.0 mm to 4.0 mm):</strong>

<ul>

<li>Uniform, broad green leaf flakes with minimal stalk content; optimized for pizza toppings, bakery crusts, and clear retail glass jars.</li>

</ul>

</li>

<li><strong>2. Medium Cut / Sifted Leaves (1.0 mm to 2.0 mm / Tea Bag Cut - T.B.C.):</strong>

<ul>

<li>De-dusted uniform particles engineered for rapid, homogeneous hydration in dry soup mixes, pasta sauces, and instant seasonings.</li>

</ul>

</li>

<li><strong>3. Fine Basil Powder (40 – 60 mesh):</strong>

<ul>

<li>Soluble-textured green botanical powder for topical snack seasonings, marinades, salad dressing packets, and processed meat batters.</li>

</ul>

</li>

<li><strong>4. Whole Selected Dried Basil Leaves (Hand-Picked):</strong>

<ul>

<li>Intact whole dried leaves sorted for premium loose-leaf botanical infusions and decorative culinary presentations.</li>

</ul>

</li>

</ul>

<h3>Product Specifications &amp; Analytical Standards</h3>

<ul>

<li><strong>Botanical Origin:</strong> <em>Ocimum basilicum</em> L. (Family: Lamiaceae / Labiatae)</li>

<li><strong>Common Trade Names:</strong> Dried Basil, Sweet Basil Flakes, Rubbed Basil, Feuilles de Basilic Séchées, Hojas de Albahaca Deshidratadas, Getrocknetes Basilikum, Basilico Essiccato, Kuru Fesleğen / Fesleğen Yaprağı, Rehan</li>

<li><strong>HS Codes:</strong>

<ul>

<li><strong>1211.90.86.00 / 1211.90.85:</strong> Plants and parts of plants used primarily in perfumery, pharmacy, or culinary purposes - Basil</li>

<li><strong>0712.90.90.00:</strong> Dried vegetables, whole, cut, sliced, broken or in powder - Other</li>

</ul>

</li>

<li><strong>Color:</strong> Natural uniform emerald green to olive green (0% blackened or heat-damaged particles)</li>

<li><strong>Purity:</strong> Min. 98.5% – 99.0% (Sortex cleaned, aspirated, metal-detected, free from weeds, clods, and foreign botanical matter)</li>

<li><strong>Stem / Stalk Content:</strong> Max. 3.0% – 5.0% in premium rubbed flake grade</li>

<li><strong>Volatile Essential Oil:</strong> Min. 0.4% – 0.8%+ (Steam distillation basis)</li>

<li><strong>Key Active Terpenes:</strong> Linalool, 1,8-cineole, and eugenol</li>

<li><strong>Moisture Content:</strong> Max. 8.0% – 9.5% (Shelf-stable ambient dry storage)</li>

<li><strong>Total Ash:</strong> Max. 11.0% – 12.5%</li>

<li><strong>Acid-Insoluble Ash:</strong> Max. 1.5% – 2.0%</li>

<li><strong>Microbiological Status:</strong> Low bacterial count; steam-treatment / pathogen-reduction options available (Salmonella-free, E. coli negative)</li>

<li><strong>Origin:</strong> Turkey (Mediterranean &amp; Aegean Basins) / Certified Regional Hub</li>

<li><strong>Crop Season:</strong> Current Crop / Fresh Harvest</li>

</ul>

<h3>Packaging &amp; Volume Protection Standards</h3>

<p>Because dried basil leaves are delicate, light, and susceptible to photolytic color fading and moisture absorption, packaging features multi-layer barrier materials:</p>

<ul>

<li>Heavy-duty corrugated master export cartons: 10 kg, 12.5 kg, or 15 kg net weight, lined with heavy-gauge sealed blue food-grade polyethylene (PE) liner bags to shield against ambient humidity and light degradation</li>

<li>Multi-ply craft paper bags (15 kg / 20 kg) with heat-sealed PE inner liners for fine cut and powder grades</li>

<li>Semi-compressed bales (40 kg to 60 kg) wrapped in woven polypropylene (PP) sheets available for large-scale extraction or industrial grinding lines</li>

<li>Custom private labeling, batch barcodes, allergen statements, and client-specified palletization standards fully supported</li>

</ul>

<h3>Container Loading &amp; Freight Logistics</h3>

<p>Dried basil leaves represent an exceptionally light, high-volume leafy botanical commodity (bulk density approx. 140 – 190 kg/m³ for rubbed leaves; approx. 320 – 380 kg/m³ for fine powder). Shipments prioritize cubic capacity optimization while strictly complying with international container payload limits and road safety regulations:</p>

<ul>

<li><strong>20ft FCL Container:</strong>

<ul>

<li>Dried Flakes (Loose Cartons): Approx. 3.8 – 5.0 MT (approx. 28 – 30 CBM internal volume)</li>

<li>Ground Powder: Approx. 8.0 – 10.0 MT</li>

<li>Palletized (Flakes): Approx. 3.2 – 4.2 MT</li>

</ul>

</li>

<li><strong>40ft High Cube (HC) FCL Container:</strong>

<ul>

<li>Dried Flakes (Loose Master Cartons): Approx. 9.5 – 12.0 MT (utilizing full 68 – 72 CBM internal volume)</li>

<li>Dense Ground Powder: Approx. 20.0 – 22.5 MT</li>

<li>Heavy dense derivatives strictly capped at the <strong>25 MT maximum legal container payload limit</strong></li>

<li>Palletized (Flakes): Approx. 8.5 – 10.5 MT</li>

</ul>

</li>

<li><strong>Standard Truck (Road Transport / Mega Tır 90–100 m³):</strong>

<ul>

<li>Flakes: Approx. 11.0 – 14.0 MT (Volumetric trailer capacity)</li>

<li>Dense Powder: Approx. 20.0 – 24.5 MT (Strictly capped at <strong>max 24 – 25 MT legal road axle payload</strong>)</li>

</ul>

</li>

</ul>

<h3>Quality Assurance &amp; Export Documentation</h3>

<ul>

<li>Comprehensive official export paperwork: Official Phytosanitary Certificate, Certificate of Origin, Certificate of Analysis (CoA) specifically verifying volatile oil %, stem content, moisture %, purity, and microbiological safety, Commercial Invoice, Packing List, and Bill of Lading / CMR.</li>

<li>Tested and certified compliant with European Commission (EU) pesticide MRL regulations, pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PA) control, heavy metal limits, and US FDA food safety rules. Non-GMO, Halal, and Kosher certified.</li>

<li>Flexible international trade delivery terms: FOB, CFR, CIF, and DAP.</li>

</ul>