Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Commodity GroupNuts and seeds (medicinal/botanical seed; non-timber forest product in parts of its range)
Scientific NameScaphium scaphigerum (trade name 'malva nut'/'Pang Da Hai' may also reference Scaphium affine and Sterculia lychnophora in some sources)
PerishabilityLow (when properly dried)
Growing Conditions- Wet tropical to monsoonal climates; tropical forest biomes within its native Asian range
- Large tree species in tropical Asia; seed supply linked to suitable forest/ecosystem conditions
Consumption Forms- Soaked seeds consumed as a mucilaginous beverage/dessert ingredient in parts of Southeast Asia
- Herbal decoction/infusion sold as Pang Da Hai in traditional medicine channels
- Industrial/research extraction of malva nut gum/mucilage as a natural hydrocolloid
Grading Factors- Botanical identity (species verification where required)
- Cleanliness/foreign matter
- Moisture condition (dryness; absence of moldy odor/visible mold)
- Insect damage and infestation indicators
- Hydration/swelling and mucilage/gel performance upon soaking
Market
Malva nut (commonly traded as Pang Da Hai) is a niche, globally traded dried seed used in traditional medicine and in regional beverages/desserts because it rapidly hydrates and forms a mucilaginous gel. Commercial supply is associated with tropical Asia—especially mainland Southeast Asia (e.g., Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar) and parts of South Asia—while end-market demand is strongly linked to Chinese materia medica and broader herbal product channels. The trade name is not botanically singular, with multiple closely related Scaphium/Sterculia taxa referenced across sources and pharmacopoeial contexts, which shapes procurement and compliance expectations. Publicly comparable global trade statistics are limited because the product is typically captured under broader medicinal-plant categories rather than a dedicated HS line.
Major Producing Countries- ThailandNative range includes Thailand; malva nut seeds are used locally and in regional trade.
- VietnamNative range includes Vietnam; malva nut seeds are used in traditional medicine and beverages.
- CambodiaNative range includes Cambodia (Kew POWO distribution for Scaphium scaphigerum).
- LaosNative range includes Laos (Kew POWO distribution for Scaphium scaphigerum).
- Myanmar [Burma]Native range includes Myanmar (Kew POWO distribution for Scaphium scaphigerum).
- BangladeshNative range includes Bangladesh (Kew POWO distribution for Scaphium scaphigerum).
- MalaysiaNative range includes Peninsular Malaysia (Kew POWO distribution for Scaphium scaphigerum).
- IndiaNative range includes Assam (Kew POWO distribution for Scaphium scaphigerum).
- ChinaReported cultivation/occurrence in southern China in scientific literature on Pangdahai (Sterculia/Scaphium spp.).
- IndonesiaReported occurrence/usage in literature on malva nut (Scaphium/Sterculia spp.) and its traditional medicine use.
Supply Calendar- Thailand (eastern region):Mar, AprA published rheology study sourced malva nut seeds harvested during March–April in eastern Thailand, indicating an observed harvest window in that area.
Specification
Major VarietiesScaphium scaphigerum (commonly referenced as malva nut in food hydrocolloid literature), Scaphium affine (commonly referenced as Pangdahai in some pharmacopoeial contexts), Sterculia lychnophora (frequently cited name/synonym in Pangdahai literature), Scaphium macropodum (regional 'malva nut tree' name used in some references)
Physical Attributes- Dried mature seeds that rapidly hydrate and develop a swollen, mucilaginous interior when soaked in water
- Seed-derived mucilage/gum is a key functional quality attribute in use (gel formation/viscosity)
Compositional Metrics- Mucilage/gum is polysaccharide-rich; buyer acceptance often depends on hydration/swelling and gel-forming performance rather than oil/protein metrics typical of edible nuts
- Moisture control is critical for storage stability due to the hygroscopic, swelling nature of the seed material
Grades- Common trade grading factors include seed size/uniformity, cleanliness/foreign matter, insect or mold damage, and functional swelling/gel performance upon soaking
- Herbal/TCM supply chains may apply pharmacopoeial-style identity and quality testing expectations for dried seeds sold as Pangdahai
Packaging- Moisture-protective inner liners (e.g., plastic bags) with outer cartons or woven sacks for bulk shipments
- Packaging designed to minimize humidity uptake and physical breakage during transport
ProcessingPrimary post-harvest handling typically involves drying, cleaning, and sorting; downstream users may soak seeds for beverage/medicinal decoctions or extract mucilage/gum for functional applications
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Fruit collection/harvest from mature trees → drying (sun or controlled drying) → dehusking/cracking → cleaning and sorting → moisture-controlled storage → wholesale herbal/ingredient distribution → retail herbal channels or food/beverage use
Demand Drivers- Traditional medicine usage under the name Pang Da Hai/Pangdahai across Chinese and regional Asian herbal practices
- Regional beverage/dessert consumption in parts of Southeast Asia driven by the seed’s swelling/mucilage property
- Specialty ingredient interest in malva nut gum/mucilage as a natural hydrocolloid (research and limited food/cosmetic applications)
Temperature- Ambient logistics are common, but storage conditions must prioritize low humidity and protection from moisture uptake to reduce mold risk and preserve functional swelling characteristics
Shelf Life- As a dried seed product, shelf life is primarily constrained by moisture ingress (mold/quality loss) and pest contamination rather than rapid physiological spoilage
Risks
Botanical Identity HighThe trade name 'malva nut'/'Pang Da Hai' is associated with multiple closely related Scaphium/Sterculia taxa across references and pharmacopoeial contexts. Species substitution or misidentification can cause inconsistent swelling/gel performance, trigger regulatory or customer rejections in herbal channels, and complicate traceability.Require pharmacopoeial-aligned identification where applicable; implement supplier qualification with lot-level botanical authentication (e.g., microscopy/DNA methods) and functional hydration/swelling checks.
Food Safety MediumAs a dried botanical seed, malva nut is vulnerable to mold growth and quality degradation if drying and storage are poorly controlled, with downstream safety/compliance risks for herbal and beverage uses.Set moisture and cleanliness specifications; use validated drying, humidity-controlled storage, and routine screening for microbial/mycotoxin indicators where required by destination-market rules.
Supply Variability MediumSupply is geographically tied to tropical Asia and seasonality can be localized; reliance on specific collection areas and variable harvest timing can create availability and price volatility for importers that require consistent quality.Diversify approved origins within the native range; contract across multiple suppliers and hold buffer inventory for peak-demand periods in herbal markets.
Regulatory Compliance MediumDestination markets may regulate Pangdahai as a medicinal plant material or herbal ingredient, with expectations around identity, contaminants, and labeling that vary by jurisdiction.Map destination-market regulatory status (food vs. herbal/medicinal); align COA testing panels and labeling to the strictest relevant market requirements.
Sustainability- Non-timber forest product dynamics in parts of its range (where material is collected from native trees), creating sustainability and traceability scrutiny in responsible-sourcing programs
- Biodiversity and habitat considerations in tropical forest biomes where Scaphium/Sterculia species occur
FAQ
What is malva nut (Pang Da Hai) in global trade?Malva nut (often sold as Pang Da Hai/Pangdahai) is a dried seed from Scaphium/Sterculia-related trees used in traditional medicine and in some Southeast Asian beverages/desserts. A defining feature is that the seed hydrates and produces a mucilaginous gel when soaked in water.
Where is malva nut sourced from?Botanical distribution sources place Scaphium scaphigerum across tropical Asia, including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Peninsular Malaysia, and India (Assam). Scientific literature on Pangdahai also references occurrence in parts of Southeast Asia and southern China.
Why do buyers care about swelling or gel formation?Because the seed’s commercial use depends on its mucilage/gum performance after soaking, functional swelling/gel behavior is a practical quality attribute. Studies on malva nut gum focus on extracting and characterizing this polysaccharide-rich mucilage, which is directly linked to how the product is used.