Red Lentils

We offer superior-quality red lentils in football (whole, dehulled), whole-with-husk and split forms, packed from 15 kg to 50 kg polypropylene bags, with custom packing and private labels available. Dehulled red lentils are eaten worldwide in two forms — football (the whole kernel, skin removed) and split dal. Both cook quickly and are valued for their protein, fibre and clean orange-red colour.

Description
About 26% of the calories in lentils come from protein. Among plant foods, pulses sit just behind soybeans and hemp for protein by weight. That is why red lentils (masoor) are a staple across the Indian subcontinent and in other vegetarian diets: they stand in for meat, they carry cholesterol-lowering fibre, and that same fibre slows the rise in blood sugar after a meal. Folate and magnesium add to their value for heart and general health.

The plant (Lens culinaris / Masoor) sets pods under 2.5 cm (one inch) with one or two lens-shaped seeds. Most seed is borne on branches from the middle and lower nodes of the main stem. After harvest the seed is cleaned and, where the buyer requires it, dehulled. Dehulling leaves either an intact orange-red kernel (football / gota / malka) or two flat halves (split / leaf lentils).

Origins: India (Bahraich mid-size; MP/UP football and gota), Nepal (small, mid and football), and Australia / Canada (large football / jumbo). Q&Q by Intertek, SGS or equivalent.

Whole and split — sizes

Large / Football — Football whole with husk | Football whole decorticated without husk | Red leaf (split) lentils
Mid size — Whole with husk | Whole dehusked / football | Split / leaf lentils
Small size premium — Whole with husk | Whole dehusked / decorticated | Split / leaf lentils

Foreign material content:

2% foreign material +2% unhusked

1% foreign material +1% unhusked
0% foreign material +0% unhusked (Sortex Cleaned)

Machine-dressed / Sortex :

Purity: 99% min
Foreign material: 0.5% max (Sortex: 0.2% max)
Unhusked: 0.5% max (Sortex: 0.1% max)
Damaged / discoloured: 2% max
Live infestation: Nil
Crop year: current
Shelf life: 12–24 months, cool dry storage

Whole Red Lentils : Whole Red Lentils are 1/2 cm wide with a mild, earthy flavor and soft texture. These lentils are crimson, which is a deep orange-red color. Whole Red Lentils have traditionally been used as a meat substitute.

Decorticated Whole Red Football Lentils:
The Red Footballs are also made from the Whole Red Lentil. The skin is removed from the lentil, leaving the inside portion of the seed whole (not split). The result is a beautiful intact, reddish-orange polished product. They are cultivated and processed under strict industrial standards. Lentils belong to the legume family and are found in many varieties and colours. About 3-4 lens shaped seeds which are storehouse of proteins and carbohydrates are encased within the pods. The football lentils are those lentils which have been processed in the mills and dehusked to remove the outer layer.

Split Red Lentils (Also known as: Leaf Lentils) :
Split red lentils are made from splitting the whole red lentil. The skin is removed and the remaining reddish-orange seed is then split into two halves. A product of India, Nepal, Turkey & Canada mainly and among the best in the world known for quality. Unlike beans, split lentils are easy to prepare and take considerably less time to cook. Lentil split dal is basically part of legume family and is grown for its lens shaped seeds.

COMMERCIAL SPECIFICATION OF RED LENTILS

WHOLE WITH HUSK | WHOLE DEHUSKED (FOOTBALL / GOTA / MALKA) | INDIA | NEPAL | AUSTRALIA / CANADA

Ametheus supplies superior-quality red lentils (Lens culinaris / Masoor) for food, snack, canning and institutional buyers. Lots are offered as Whole with husk (skin on, not split) and as Whole dehusked — also called Football / Masoor Gota / Malka — where the skin is removed and the orange-red seed is left whole, not split. Split red lentils (dal) are a separate product.

Origins in this sheet: India (Bahraich mid-size and MP/UP football/gota), Nepal (small, mid and football), and Australia / Canada (large football / jumbo). Quality and quantity may be certified by Intertek, SGS or equivalent. Packing from 15 kg to 50 kg polypropylene bags; custom packing and private labels available.

Three sizes	Two whole forms	Three origins	Two cleaning lines
Small · Mid · Football / Large	With husk · Dehusked (Football)	India · Nepal · Australia / Canada	Standard 1+1 · Machine-dressed / Sortex

NB: Standard commercial cleanliness on all grades is 1% foreign material + 1% unhusked.

1. Buyer key — what each name means

Trade name	Form	Appearance	Cooking
Whole with husk / Sabut / Kali masoor	Skin on. Whole seed. Not split.	Brown-grey to dark coat; red inside.	Longer cook. Holds shape. Higher fibre.
Whole dehusked / Decorticated / Football / Gota / Malka	Skin removed. Seed left whole. Not split.	Bright orange-red polished cotyledon.	Faster cook. Soups, snacks, canning.
Split / Masoor dal / Leaf lentils	Skin removed and seed split in two. Separate SKU.	Flat orange-red halves.	Fastest cook. Everyday dal.

This specification covers only the two whole forms. Split red lentils can be quoted separately.

2. Cleaning lines (every origin and size)

Quote either the standard commercial line or the machine-dressed / Sortex line. Do not mix the two on the same contract without stating which applies.

Parameter	Standard commercial	Machine-dressed	Sortex cleaned
Purity	—	99% min	99% min (typically 99.5%)
Foreign material	1% max	0.5% max	0.2% max
Unhusked grains	1% max	0.5% max	0.1% max
Trade shorthand	1% FM + 1% unhusked	0.5% + 0.5%	0% + 0–0.1%
Damaged / discoloured	As per grade	2% max	2% max
Live infestation	Nil	Nil	Nil
Crop year	Current	Current	Current
Shelf life	12–24 months, cool dry	12–24 months, cool dry	12–24 months, cool dry

Also available on request: 2% FM + 2% unhusked (lower mill / feed grade). Moisture on all grades: 12–14%. Typical protein on dry whole red lentil: 22–26% (Australia / Canada large football often 24–27%). Contracts should use the dry-basis protein range, not the historic 10–12% website figure.

3. Size and origin matrix

Grade	Origin	Size	Count / 10 g
Small premium	India / Nepal	2.5–3.0 mm	580–650 (620 min)
Mid size / Masoor Gola	Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh, India	3.0–3.5 mm	380–450
Mid size	Nepal	3.0–3.5 mm	380–480
Football / Gota / Malka	India (MP / UP, incl. Bundelkhand bold)	3.0–4.5 mm (bold 4.0 mm+)	250–350
Football	Nepal	3.0–4.5 mm	250–380
Large Football / Jumbo	Australia / Canada	4.0–5.5 mm (also 3.5–4.5 mm)	180–280

Higher count per 10 grams means a smaller seed. Indian and Nepali football is the regional Gota size. For jumbo 4.5–5.5 mm, specify Australia / Canada origin.

4. India origin — full specifications

India is a major producer and processor of masoor. Bahraich (Uttar Pradesh) is the leading Indian lentil district. Bold / football types are drawn from Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, including Bundelkhand macrosperma (malka) types. Trade names: Sabut masoor (whole with husk), Masoor Gota / Football / Malka (whole dehusked).

4.1 Small size premium — India

Form A — with husk	Red Lentils Whole with husk (not split, skin on)
Form B — dehusked	Red Lentils Whole dehusked / decorticated (not split)
Origin	India
Size	2.5–3.0 mm
Count	620 pieces / 10 gram minimum
Split	½–1% max
Moisture	12–14%
Protein	22–26% typical, dry basis
Standard cleanliness	1% foreign material + 1% unhusked
Q&Q	Intertek / SGS / equivalent
Packing	15 kg to 50 kg PP bags; custom and private label available

4.2 Mid size — Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh (Masoor Gola)

Form A — with husk	Red Lentils Whole with husk (not split, skin on)
Form B — dehusked	Red Lentils Whole dehusked / decorticated (not split)
Origin	Bahraich belt, Uttar Pradesh, India
Size	3.0–3.5 mm
Count	380–450 pieces / 10 gram
Split	1–2% max
Moisture	12–14%
Protein	22–26% typical, dry basis
Standard cleanliness	1% foreign material + 1% unhusked
Q&Q	Intertek / SGS / equivalent
Packing	15 kg to 50 kg PP bags; custom and private label available

4.3 Football / Gota / Malka — India (MP / UP)

Form A — with husk	Red Lentils Whole with husk, bold / gola (not split, skin on)
Form B — dehusked	Red Lentils Whole dehusked — Football / Masoor Gota / Malka (not split)
Origin	India — Madhya Pradesh / Uttar Pradesh (incl. Bundelkhand bold)
Size	3.0–4.5 mm overall; medium football 3.0–4.0 mm; bold football 4.0–4.5 mm+
Count	250–350 pieces / 10 gram
Colour (dehusked)	Intact orange-red polished cotyledon
Split	1–2% max
Moisture	12–14%
Protein	22–26% typical, dry basis
Standard cleanliness	1% foreign material + 1% unhusked
Q&Q	Intertek / SGS / equivalent
Packing	15 kg to 50 kg PP bags; custom and private label available

4.4 India — machine-dressed / Sortex (all India grades)

Purity	99% min
Foreign material	0.5% max (Sortex: 0.2% max)
Unhusked	0.5% max (Sortex: 0.1% max)
Damaged / discoloured	2% max
Live infestation	Nil
Crop year	Current
Shelf life	12–24 months, cool dry storage

5. Nepal origin — full specifications

Nepal is an established origin for small-seeded red lentils (microsperma) and for processed football. Local types often sit near 17 g / 1,000 seeds, which is why Nepal small lots count close to 620 pieces / 10 gram. Football from Nepal is sold into India and nearby markets alongside Turkish and Indian Gota.

5.1 Nepal Small

Form A — with husk	Red Lentils Whole with husk (not split, skin on)
Form B — dehusked	Red Lentils Whole dehusked / decorticated (not split)
Origin	Nepal
Size	2.5–3.0 mm
Count	580–650 pieces / 10 gram (620 minimum)
Split	1–2% max
Moisture	12–14%
Protein	22–26% typical, dry basis
Standard cleanliness	1% foreign material + 1% unhusked
Q&Q	Intertek / SGS / equivalent
Packing	15 kg to 50 kg PP bags; custom and private label available

5.2 Nepal Mid

Form A — with husk	Red Lentils Whole with husk (not split, skin on)
Form B — dehusked	Red Lentils Whole dehusked / decorticated (not split)
Origin	Nepal
Size	3.0–3.5 mm
Count	380–480 pieces / 10 gram
Split	1–2% max
Moisture	12–14%
Protein	22–26% typical, dry basis
Standard cleanliness	1% foreign material + 1% unhusked
Q&Q	Intertek / SGS / equivalent
Packing	15 kg to 50 kg PP bags; custom and private label available

5.3 Nepal Football

Form A — with husk	Red Lentils Whole with husk (not split, skin on)
Form B — dehusked	Red Lentils Whole dehusked — Football (not split)
Origin	Nepal
Size	3.0–4.5 mm
Count	250–380 pieces / 10 gram
Split	1–2% max
Moisture	12–14%
Protein	22–26% typical, dry basis
Standard cleanliness	1% foreign material + 1% unhusked
Q&Q	Intertek / SGS / equivalent
Packing	15 kg to 50 kg PP bags; custom and private label available

5.4 Nepal — machine-dressed / Sortex (all Nepal grades)

Purity	99% min
Foreign material	0.5% max (Sortex: 0.2% max)
Unhusked	0.5% max (Sortex: 0.1% max)
Damaged / discoloured	2% max
Live infestation	Nil
Crop year	Current
Shelf life	12–24 months, cool dry storage

6. Australia / Canada origin — large football

Canada is the world’s largest lentil exporter; Australia is a major southern-hemisphere origin. Both supply the larger, more uniform football preferred in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and the Gulf. “Football” means the seed is dehulled and left whole — not split. Jumbo / large football is typically 4.0–5.5 mm; a 3.5–4.5 mm band is also offered.

6.1 Large Football / Jumbo — Australia / Canada

Form A — with husk	Red Lentils Whole with husk (not split, skin on)
Form B — dehusked	Red Lentils Whole dehusked — Football / Jumbo (not split)
Origin	Australia / Canada
Size	4.0–5.5 mm (3.5–4.5 mm also available on request)
Count	180–280 pieces / 10 gram
Indicative 1000-kernel weight	36–55 g
Colour (dehusked)	Bright intact reddish-orange polished cotyledon, uniform size
Moisture	12–14% (export lots often land 12–12.5%)
Protein	24–27% typical, dry basis
Split	1–2% max
Standard cleanliness	1% foreign material + 1% unhusked
Q&Q	Intertek / SGS / equivalent
Packing	15 kg to 50 kg PP bags; custom and private label available

6.2 Australia / Canada — machine-dressed / Sortex

Purity	99% min
Foreign material	0.5% max (Sortex: 0.2% max)
Unhusked	0.5% max (Sortex: 0.1% max)
Damaged / discoloured	2% max
Live infestation	Nil
Crop year	Current
Shelf life	12–24 months, cool dry storage

7. Common commercial terms (all SKUs)

Botanical name	Lens culinaris Medik. (syn. Lens esculenta) — Masoor / Red Lentil
Intended use	Human food — dal, soups, stews, canning, snacks (gota/football), institutional supply
GMO	Non-GMO
Inspection	Pre-shipment quality and quantity by Intertek, SGS or equivalent, buyer’s option
Fumigation	As required by destination phytosanitary rules
Storage	Cool, dry, dark, on pallets; protect from moisture and infestation
Shelf life	12–24 months from packing under correct storage
Container note	A 20 ft container typically takes about 430–460 bags depending on bag weight and stuffing
Labelling	Product name, form (with husk / dehusked), origin, crop year, net weight, lot / mill order, best-before
Private label	Available to customer artwork and language

8. How to order

State all five points on the enquiry or contract so the mill and the surveyor work to the same sheet:

Origin — India (and district if required, e.g. Bahraich) / Nepal / Australia / Canada.
Size — Small (2.5–3.0 mm) / Mid (3.0–3.5 mm) / Football (3.0–4.5 mm) / Large Football (4.0–5.5 mm).
Form — Whole with husk or Whole dehusked (Football / Gota).
Cleaning — Standard 1% + 1% or Machine-dressed or
Packing — Bag weight (15–50 kg), plain or printed, and any private-label file.

Ametheus Holdings · 17, Aurobindo Marg, Yusuf Sarai, Green Park Extension, New Delhi 110016 · WeWork Vaswani Chambers, Worli, Mumbai

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This sheet is a commercial specification for buyer guidance. Final contractual limits are those written on the sale contract and confirmed by the nominated surveyor.