| Appearance | Small, green or black pods with seeds inside |
| Color | Green (green cardamom) or black (black cardamom) |
| Odor | Strong, aromatic, and slightly sweet |
| Taste | Pungent, warm, sweet, and slightly spicy |
| Texture | Pods are firm and slightly leathery |
| Moisture Content | Not more than 10% |
| Foreign Matter | Not more than 1% |
| Seed Quality | Uniform in size, free from broken seeds or foreign particles |
| Bulk Density | 0.50 – 0.70 g/cm³ |
| Essential Oil Content | 4-8% for green cardamom |
| Adulteration | Free from artificial color, preservatives, and adulterants |
| Insect Infestation | Free from live/dead insects, larvae, or rodent contamination |