Alba
Alba- Diameter
- 6 mm
- Quills/kg
- 45
- Foxing
- 10%
SLS 81:2021 reference
Ceylon cinnamon grades explained
Ceylon cinnamon is graded under SLS 81:2021 using three principal criteria: quill diameter, the number of 42-inch quills required to make one kilogram, and the permitted percentage of surface foxing.
Grade definitions
How the grade definitions work
Each value in the table is an official grade limit. Diameter alone does not determine the complete grade, and a grade limit is not a promise that every offered lot has a narrower diameter range.
A narrower measured range may be shown only for a verified current lot and will be labelled “Current selected lot.”
Official whole-quill grade reference
Alba is listed separately from the Continental, Mexican and Hamburg grade families. These values describe official limits, not current stock or a laboratory result for a specific lot.
| Grade | Family | Maximum diameter | Minimum 42-inch quills/kg | Maximum foxing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alba | Alba | 6 mm | 45 | 10% |
| C5 Extra Special | Continental | 8 mm | 33 | 10% |
| C5 Special | Continental | 10 mm | 30 | 10% |
| C5 | Continental | 12 mm | 27 | 15% |
| C4 | Continental | 16 mm | 22 | 15% |
| C3 | Continental | 18 mm | 20 | 20% |
| M5 Special | Mexican | 16 mm | 22 | 60% |
| M5 | Mexican | 18 mm | 20 | 60% |
| M4 | Mexican | 21 mm | 15 | 60% |
| H1 | Hamburg | 23 mm | 10 | 25% |
| H2 Special | Hamburg | 25 mm | 9 | 40% |
| H2 | Hamburg | 32 mm | 7 | 55% |
| H3 | Hamburg | 38 mm | 6 | 65% |
C5 Extra Special
Continental- Diameter
- 8 mm
- Quills/kg
- 33
- Foxing
- 10%
C5 Special
Continental- Diameter
- 10 mm
- Quills/kg
- 30
- Foxing
- 10%
C5
Continental- Diameter
- 12 mm
- Quills/kg
- 27
- Foxing
- 15%
C4
Continental- Diameter
- 16 mm
- Quills/kg
- 22
- Foxing
- 15%
C3
Continental- Diameter
- 18 mm
- Quills/kg
- 20
- Foxing
- 20%
M5 Special
Mexican- Diameter
- 16 mm
- Quills/kg
- 22
- Foxing
- 60%
M5
Mexican- Diameter
- 18 mm
- Quills/kg
- 20
- Foxing
- 60%
M4
Mexican- Diameter
- 21 mm
- Quills/kg
- 15
- Foxing
- 60%
H1
Hamburg- Diameter
- 23 mm
- Quills/kg
- 10
- Foxing
- 25%
H2 Special
Hamburg- Diameter
- 25 mm
- Quills/kg
- 9
- Foxing
- 40%
H2
Hamburg- Diameter
- 32 mm
- Quills/kg
- 7
- Foxing
- 55%
H3
Hamburg- Diameter
- 38 mm
- Quills/kg
- 6
- Foxing
- 65%
Selected Alba Quills
Selected Alba is a CeyQuills selection of Alba-grade quills chosen for greater visual consistency and straightness. It is an internal product selection, not a separate grade under SLS 81:2021. Availability and selection characteristics are confirmed for each lot.
Ceylon cinnamon and cassia
Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) commonly forms a multi-layered quill from thin pieces of inner bark, while common cassia varieties typically form a thicker, harder curl. A buyer needing species confirmation for powder or a particular lot should request appropriate testing.
Ceylon cinnamon is generally known for containing substantially less coumarin than common cassia varieties. Natural composition can vary, so a specific coumarin value should only be stated when supported by laboratory testing of the relevant lot.
Understand Ceylon vs cassia before comparing product forms and grade references.
Product information provided with quotations
Depending on the selected product and shipment requirements, quotations can include the grade, product form, quantity, packing, current lot information, processing period, origin details and available export documentation. Certifications and laboratory reports are provided only where applicable to the specific product or shipment.
SLSI pre-export quality certificates, where applicable, are issued for a specific consignment after inspection and testing; they are not automatic exporter-wide certification for every shipment.