What botanical species does hawthorn concrete come from, and where is it sourced?
Hawthorn concrete/extract from Top is the concentrate of Crataegus pinnatifida Bunge (shan-zha / Chinese hawthorn, Rosaceae) — the large-fruited "Shan-li-hong" hawthorn used in food. Top declares the botanical name on every COA.Origin is cultivated hawthorn orchards in northern China (Shandong, Hebei, Liaoning, Shanxi), a traditional hawthorn belt. Hawthorn is a medicine-food dual-use species listed by the National Health Commission, so it is a recognized food raw material — not a novel botanical.Top keeps the species + origin declaration so the fruit-pomace-to-concentrate identity is traceable. Note this is a water-extracted fruit concentrate (concrete/concentrate), not a distilled essential oil or a solvent...
Do you supply diluted or blend-ready hawthorn concrete?
Yes. Beyond the neat concentrate, Top can supply diluted forms (for example, pre-diluted to a target Brix with purified water, or pre-blended with other fruit concentrates per your formula) for easier handling and lower-cost trials.Because this is a water-soluble fruit concentrate (not a volatile oil), dilution is by adding purified water / blending with aqueous systems. Dilution medium and concentration are agreed per order and stated on the COA.Note that dilution changes the measured specification window, so the COA always declares the actual concentration and base. Neat lots remain the default for buyers who formulate in-house.For food use, confirm the...
How do you ensure batch-to-batch consistency and traceability?
Top controls consistency through Q/XXXX and per-batch Brix / total-acid / total-flavonoid assay matched to the reference profile: each lot is matched (soluble solids, total acid as malic acid, flavonoids within band, pH). Traceability runs fruit origin → extraction → concentrate with a lot-specific ledger and retention sample.If your application needs tight tolerances, tell Top and we can select lots from the same orchard/harvest or blend to a target Brix/acid/flavonoid profile. Every shipment carries a lot number linking to the COA and assay on file.
What does hawthorn concrete look and smell like?
AppearanceA viscous, reddish-brown to deep-red liquid/paste (a true fruit concentrate — it is not fluid-clear like an oil and not waxy like a floral concrete). Odour/TasteThe characteristic tart, fruity, slightly astringent hawthorn note (malic/citric acid driven).Because it is a water-extracted fruit concentrate, the aroma is the natural cooked-fruit hawthorn character, not a volatile-oil top note. Sensory evaluation follows an in-house panel; Top provides the odour/flavour description on the COA and can supply a reference sample. (Reminder: it is a fruit concentrate — dissolve/dose in water or food systems, do not treat as an essential oil.)
What after-sales support do you provide?
Top provides ongoing support: lot traceability and re-test within shelf life using the retention sample, documentation re-issue (COA / SDS / origin / health / phytosanitary cert copies), formulation advice (dosing in aqueous food systems, grade selection for Brix/acid/flavonoid target, food labelling as medicine-food dual-use extract, fermentation-control note for this sugar/acid concentrate) and a responsive complaint channel. For LTA buyers we assign a dedicated contact and periodic review of grade consistency.We treat the relationship as long-term — the after-sales step is where we protect your production continuity, not an afterthought.
How do you authenticate hawthorn concrete and screen for adulteration?
Top authenticates by:total acid + Brix + total-flavonoids profile matched to natural hawthorn fruit concentrate (the malic/citric acid ratio and flavonoid HPLC, e.g., vitexin/hyperoside, are the signature; sugar-water or other fruit concentrate padding is screened by the acid/sugar ratio and missing flavonoid pattern)patulin confirm (GB 2761 / GB 5009.185 not detected) — a hawthorn-class mandatory testSpecies + "hawthorn fruit / aqueous concentrate" declaration on COAHeavy metals + microbiology per food-safety.Every lot ships with COA plus assay. We screen sugar-water dilution / other-fruit padding / over-dilution by the acid/sugar/flavonoid pattern.Lots failing the natural hawthorn profile or exceeding patulin are blocked.
Can we arrange third-party inspection (SGS / Eurofins)?
Yes. Top supports third-party inspection and testing by SGS, Eurofins or an agreed lab at buyer cost. OptionsPre-shipment sampling plus lab verification (key markers, heavy metals, micro), and factory audit.We share the lot number and retention sample so the inspector draws representatively. Tell Top which parameters and which lab, and we will coordinate the appointment and incorporate the result into the shipment documents.
What is your sustainability and responsible-sourcing approach?
Top sources raw material through contracted supply bases with a traceability ledger (raw-material source through processing to the finished product). Buyers can request a supply-chain / origin declaration and (for dedicated lots) organic certification.We aim for transparent, documentable sourcing rather than vague natural claims.
How do you handle shipping and freight?
Top ships worldwide by sea or air under the agreed Incoterm. For sea we use FCL / LCL from Shanghai / Qingdao; for air, DHL / FedEx / airline cargo. green-plum-concrete is low-hazard, but we still ship it with an SDS where applicable and use qualified forwarders.We provide tracking and can handle door-to-door or port-to-port. Freight is quoted separately from the product FOB price; tell Top your destination port / airport and preferred mode for a quote.