Grade designation | Grade requirements | Grade tolerances |
Extra class | Bitter gourds in this class must be of superior quality. In shape, size and colour, they must be characteristic of the variety. Stalk must be intact and flesh must be perfectly sound. They must be free from defects, with the exception of very slight superficial defects, provided these do not affect the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package. Bitter gourds in this class must be with neatly cut stems. | 5% by number or weight of bitter gourd not satisfying the requirements of the grade, but meeting those of Class-I or, exceptionally, coming within the tolerances of that grade. |
Class- I | Bitter gourd must be of good quality. In shape, sizing and colour, they must be characteristic of the variety. Provided that the following do not amount to defect if they do not affect the general appearance of the produce, the quality, the keeping quality and presentation in the package which have: – a slight defect in shape and development; – a slight defect in colour; – slight skin defects(scratches, scars, scraps and blemishes) not to exceed 2 sq.cm. cumulative area of the total surface area;. – slight bruising not exceeding 1 sq. cm of total surface area causing discoloration.
The skin defects must not affect the pulp. | 10% by number or weight of bitter gourd not satisfying the requirements of the grade, but meeting those of Class-II or exceptionally, coming within the tolerances of that grade. |
Class-II | This includes bitter gourds which do not qualify for inclusion in the higher grades but satisfy the minimum requirements. | – 10% by number or weight of bitter gourd not satisfying |
| Provided that the following do not amount to defect if the bitter gourds retain their essential characteristics as regards the quality, the keeping quality and presentation: – defects in shape and development; – defects in colour. – skin defects (scratches, scars, scraps and blemishes) not to exceed 4 cm. cumulative area of total surface area.
The skin defects must not affect the pulp. | the requirements of the grade, but meeting the minimum requirements. |
- whole, the stalk may be present provided it is clean and neatly cut ;
- fresh in appearance and having well developed tubercles;
- firm;
- sound, produce affected by rotting or deterioration such as to make it unfit for consumption shall be excluded;
- clean, free of any visible foreign matter;
- free from pests, larvae and mites;
- free from damage caused by the pests;
- free from abnormal external moisture;
- free from any foreign smell or taste;
- free from damage caused by low and high temperature;
- free from skin puncture;
- free from dehydration, water soaking and shriveling;
- free from internal or over-developed blackening;
- free from hard seeds and red seeds;
- free from