What are onion granules?
Onion granules are a dry seasoning ingredient made by breaking dried onion (Allium cepa) to a 1–3 mm (about 8–16 mesh) granule instead of a powder. Compared with onion powder they rehydrate more slowly, leave visible onion pieces in the finished product and release their aroma gradually. The colour is light yellow-beige; toasted grades have a golden-brown colour and caramelised taste.
How are they produced?
Cleaned onions are sliced, dried in hot-air dryers to below 6% moisture, crushed and sieved into size grades: chopped (3–6 mm), granules (1–3 mm), fine granules (0.5–1 mm). Toasted grades are obtained by controlled heat treatment. Because the product is hygroscopic, moisture control up to packing matters.
Applications in food manufacturing
Instant soup and sauce mixes (visible particles), bread, bagel and cracker toppings, snack seasonings, meatball and filling mixes, marinades, spice blends and retail seasoning products. Typical usage in the finished product is 0.5–3%.
Technical properties and quality criteria
Check moisture (≤ 6%), granule size (lower and upper sieve limits), colour, total and acid-insoluble ash, microbiological values (Salmonella, E. coli, total plate count, yeast/mould) and pesticide residues. Lots with a high fines (dust) fraction indicate lower quality.
What to check when buying
Choose the size grade by application: coarse for toppings, standard granules for mixes. State whether a toasted grade is wanted for colour and taste. Moisture-proof inner liners and tight resealing are essential. Obtain the specification, lot-specific COA and origin document with the quotation.
Wholesale sourcing: price and minimum order
The wholesale price of onion granules is set by harvest conditions, size grade, toasting, origin and order quantity. The typical minimum order is one pallet (500 kg). PERDIST identifies the size and grade suited to your application, compares sources and provides a written quotation with documents.
Frequently asked questions
Specification summary
The values below come from the Onion Granules page of the PERDIST catalogue and are confirmed per batch with the specification and certificate of analysis on every shipment.
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Typical properties | Moisture ≤ 6%, light yellow-beige colour (golden brown when toasted), sweet onion aroma. Values vary by supplier specification. |
| Applications | Instant soup and sauce mixes, bread, bagel and cracker toppings, snack seasonings, meatball and filling mixes, marinades. |
| Usage rate | Typically 0.5–3% in the finished product; rehydrates more slowly than onion powder and gives visible particles. |
| Shelf life and storage | Typically 18–24 months in unopened packaging; hygroscopic, keep sealed in a dry, cool place. |
| Packaging | Typically 20–25 kg kraft bags or cartons with PE inner liner; pallets of 500–1000 kg. 5–10 kg packs considered on request. |
| Minimum order | Usually one pallet (500 kg). Smaller quantities for trial production are stated in the quotation depending on product and supplier. |
| Origin | Common origins: China, India, Egypt. Documented per lot in the quotation. |
Documents to request from the supplier
- Sieve analysis and particle distribution: grind size against your target.
- Aflatoxin, ochratoxin A and dye residue results, with the method used.
- Batch certificate of analysis and origin document, showing the number of the batch shipped.
For supplier selection, auditing and the approved supplier list, see the supplier evaluation and approval guide.
Sample and approval steps
The steps from requesting a sample to the application trial and keeping a reference sample are set out in the ingredient sample evaluation and approval guide.
Regulatory and documentation context
Contaminant limits for spices (aflatoxins, ochratoxin A, dye residues) sit under the Turkish Food Codex contaminants regulation, and an export shipment follows the limits of the destination country. Check the certificate of analysis for the method behind each parameter.
Need current pricing, minimum order, origin or technical documents for this ingredient? Tell us the application and monthly quantity; we reply with a written quotation within one business day.