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
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.