Dehydrated pink onion from India, judged by sample, not by name
A lighter shade between white and red, offered by fewer plants. We compare samples side by side, seal the colour you approve and test every lot before it ships.
Dehydrated pink onion sits between white and red: a pale pink to light red tint from pink or light red varieties. Buyers use it in toppings, seasonings and some regional foods where a soft colour helps. The main risk is that pink has no fixed meaning, and one plant's pink can be another's pale red, while supply is smaller and more seasonal than white. We work for you, not the factory: we collect matched samples from several plants, seal the one you approve and check each lot against it.
Specification
What goes into a dehydrated pink onion spec
| What to set | What buyers usually write, for illustration |
|---|---|
| Colour | Pink tint matched to a sealed reference sample, not to the word pink, with a limit on brown and scorched pieces |
| Colour spread | A limit on white or deep red pieces mixed in, since pink lots can vary within the bag |
| Form and particle size | The form and range in mm or mesh, with oversize and fines limits by sieve analysis |
| Moisture | A maximum of around 5 to 6 percent, tighter for powder, with the test method named |
| Microbiology | Limits for total plate count, coliforms, E. coli, yeast and mould, by named ISO methods |
| Salmonella | Absent in 25 g, tested before loading, with no release until results are in |
| Treatment | Untreated or steam sterilised, and no ethylene oxide (ETO) |
| Pesticide residues | A multi-residue screen against your market's limits, for example EU MRLs |
These are typical trade figures for illustration only; set your own limits with the plant and your lab.
Uses
Where buyers use it
Toppings and garnishes
Pink flakes and chopped pieces give a softer colour than red on salads, snacks and ready meals.
Seasonings and blends
Pink granules and minced pieces suit visible blends where buyers want a hint of colour without the strong look of red.
Regional recipes
Some markets are used to pink or light red onion in everyday cooking, and the dried form gives a steady supply between fresh crops.
Ordering
What to write into the order
- Colour fixed by a sealed reference sample, not by the name pink
- A limit on white, deep red and brown pieces in the lot
- Form and particle size by sieve analysis, with oversize and fines limits
- Maximum moisture with a named test method
- Untreated or steam sterilised, with no ETO
- Microbiology limits and Salmonella absent in 25 g before release
- Pesticide residues screened against your market's limits
- The plant's production window and the volume it can commit to
Shipping
HS code, packing and loads
HS code
Dried pink onion is dried onion and sits under 0712.20 in the first six digits. Your customs broker confirms the full national code.
Packing
Cartons with sealed polyethylene liners, kept out of direct light. The moisture barrier matters as much as for white onion.
Supply and booking
Pink depends on smaller crops, so ask when the plant runs it and how much it can supply. Booking ahead and taking stock in fewer, larger lots keeps the colour more even.
Shelf life and storage
Suppliers commonly state 12 to 24 months sealed, cool and dry. Like red onion, the colour can fade, so store it cool and dark.
Questions
Dehydrated pink onion: common questions
What is pink dehydrated onion?
A dried onion with a pale pink to light red tint, made from pink or light red varieties. Some plants also call a pale red product pink, so the name alone tells you little.
How do I make sure every shipment is the same pink?
Approve a physical sample, seal part of it on both sides and write a limit on off-colour pieces into the spec. Each lot is then checked against that reference, not against a description.
Is pink onion easy to source?
It is harder than white. Fewer plants make it, crops are smaller and production runs for part of the year, so ask about timing and volume before you plan a range around it.
Does pink onion taste different from white?
Coloured varieties can taste different from white dehydration types. Test it in your own recipe, cooked the way your process cooks it, before you approve.
Do you sell dehydrated pink onion?
No. Creston & Co is a sourcing agent. You buy directly from the plant we help you choose, and we work for you: audits, lab tests, inspection and loading supervision, for a fee agreed in writing.
Buyer guides
Read more on dehydrated pink onion
- What is the difference between white, red and pink dehydrated onion?3 min
- Which onion colour is best for my application?3 min
- How do I get samples of agri products from India?3 min
- Are pre-shipment samples the same as approval samples?3 min
- What is Grade A versus Grade B dehydrated onion?3 min
- What causes browning in dehydrated onion, and how is it prevented?3 min
Start with a free 20-minute sourcing call.
Tell us the product, the spec and the volume. We'll tell you what it should cost from India, what to test for and where the risks are. No fee, no obligation, and you keep the notes.