Iranian dried lime and herbal teas wholesale: limoo amani, saffron tea and herbal infusions

Dried lime: types and specifications

Dried limes are made from small, thin-skinned limes grown in the warm south of Iran, including the Jahrom area of Fars and Hormozgan. The fruit is dried whole, sometimes after a short boil in salt water, until the inside turns dark and the shell becomes hard and light.

Colour depends on drying time and method. Light (tan or brown) limes taste more sour and fresh; black limes taste more fermented and smoky. Both are traded, and Gulf, Iraqi and Iranian cuisines use them in stews, rice dishes and teas.

Herbal infusions and saffron tea

Iranian herbal infusions are sold loose in bulk, in tea bags and in pyramid bags. Several of them grow wild or are cultivated in the Alborz and Zagros mountains and in the Caspian provinces.

Saffron tea usually means black or green tea, or a herbal blend, flavoured with saffron threads, or saffron with rock sugar (nabat). Ask whether the saffron is real threads and what percentage is used, because cheaper blends may use flavouring.

Tests and quality checks

• Moisture and visible mould for dried lime; it should be hard, dry and free of soft or musty pieces.
• Pesticide residue analysis against your market's limits, for example the EU maximum residue levels.
• Pyrrolizidine alkaloids for borage-family plants and for mixed herbal blends; the EU sets maximum levels for PAs in herbal infusions.
• Microbiology (total count, yeasts and moulds, E. coli, Salmonella) and, where relevant, heavy metals.
• Foreign matter, stems and dust as a percentage; agree a maximum.
• Lab report for the actual lot from an accredited laboratory, and a pre-shipment sample from the same lot.

Packaging, MOQ, shelf life and storage

Bulk dried lime is usually packed in mesh or polypropylene bags or cartons of about 10–25 kg, and herbs in cartons or bales with food-grade liners. Retail packs, tea bags and pyramid bags can usually be made under the buyer's label, with an MOQ per design.

Bulk MOQs usually start from a few hundred kilograms, and mixed containers with spices, herbs and dried fruit are common. Kept dry, cool and away from light, dried lime and dried herbs usually keep about 12–24 months; aroma fades with time. Price depends mostly on type, colour, size, cleaning, packaging, harvest year and order size.

HS codes, documents and shipping

Whole dried lime is usually classified with dried fruit under HS 0813.40, though some customs offices use other lines. Herbs for infusion are often under 1211.90, and blended or flavoured teas can fall under 0902 (if they contain tea) or 2106.90. Check the full code with your customs broker.

Typical documents are the commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, phytosanitary certificate for plant products and a lab analysis. These light, dry goods usually ship in dry containers from Bandar Abbas, often via Jebel Ali, or by truck to neighbouring markets. Import rules differ by country; check your own country's rules on trade with Iran before you order. See /guides/food-certificates-from-iran.

How to buy dried lime and herbal teas on ASL Market

Browse listings in /categories/asl_herbal_natural and chat with suppliers. Messages go through ASL Market, so contact details stay private. Ask for a sample before a bulk order (/guides/ordering-samples-from-iranian-suppliers), or post a buying request at /post-request with type, size, tests and packaging.

The supplier confirms price, quantity, freight, Incoterm and ship-by date before you pay. Payment is in USDT today; more payment methods are coming soon. ASL Secure Pay holds the money until you confirm receipt, and receipt is confirmed automatically after a set period if you neither confirm nor dispute. In a dispute, ASL Market decides, and a partial refund is possible. See /trade-assurance.

FAQ

What is limoo amani?

Limoo amani is the Persian name for dried lime, also called loomi or black lime in the Gulf. It is a small lime dried whole until hard, sometimes after a short boil in brine. It is used whole, crushed or powdered in stews, rice and tea.

What is the difference between black and light dried lime?

Light limes are tan to brown and taste more sour and fresh. Black limes are dried longer, taste more fermented and are preferred in some recipes. State the colour you want in your request, with a photo if possible.

Which tests should I ask for on Iranian herbal teas?

Ask for pesticide residues, microbiology and foreign matter, plus pyrrolizidine alkaloids for borage and mixed blends. The EU limits PAs in herbal infusions. Use an accredited lab and test the actual lot.

Is Iranian saffron tea made with real saffron?

Some products use real saffron threads and others use flavouring. Ask for the ingredient list with the saffron percentage and, for premium claims, a lab test.

Can I get herbal teas in tea bags under my brand?

Many Iranian packers produce tea bags and pyramid bags with the buyer's label. Agree the blend, bag type, label text and MOQ per design in chat.

What is the HS code for dried lime?

Dried lime is usually classified with dried fruit under HS 0813.40, but some customs offices apply other lines. Check the full national code with your customs broker before you order.