Suta is the traditional unit the Makhana trade uses to describe the size of a popped kernel. A higher suta number means a larger pop. It is a size reference, not a quality certificate — two lots of the same suta can differ considerably in whiteness, expansion and cleanliness.
The grades, in millimetres
| Grade | Size range | Typically used for |
|---|---|---|
| 3 Suta | 9.5–12 mm | Small kernel, processing and blends |
| 4 Suta | 12–14 mm | Snack processing, flavouring lines |
| 4+ Suta | 14–26 mm | Mixed lot, 14 mm minimum |
| 5 Suta | 15–19 mm | The most widely traded grade |
| 5+ Suta | 15–26 mm | Mixed lot, 15 mm minimum |
| 6+ Suta | 19–26 mm | Premium appearance, retail and gifting |
What the “+” means, and why it matters to your costing
Grades written with a plus — 4+, 5+, 6+ — are mixed-size lots with a guaranteed minimum rather than a narrow band. A 5+ lot is everything from 15 mm upwards, so it will contain large, attractive pops alongside pops at the bottom of the range.
This is worth understanding before you compare two quotations. A straight 5 Suta lot (15–19 mm) is tightly banded and looks uniform in a pack. A 5+ lot spans 15–26 mm and will look visibly mixed. Neither is wrong — but if your product is a clear retail pouch where uniformity sells, the banded grade is what you want, and the price difference is buying you exactly that.
Grade against a specification, not a name
Grade names are not standardised across suppliers or regions. If size uniformity matters to your programme, put the millimetre range in the contract and agree the tolerance for material outside it. For export orders we grade against the agreed written specification rather than relying on the traditional grade name alone.
