Okra, commonly called gumbo, is edible hibiscus of the Malvaceae (or Mallow) family. In this genus belong many species of ornamental flowering hibiscus, several of which are natives of the United States. Cotton is the most important economic plant belonging to the mallow family.
The okra plant is an annual, requiring warm humid climates preferably where temperatures go above 85 degrees F. It is easily injured by frost. The fruit is a long pod, generally ribbed and spineless in cultivated varieties. Pods will vary in length, color and smoothness depending on the variety.
Grades of Okra
- U.S. No. 1 consists of pods of okra of similar varietal characteristics which are fresh, tender, not badly misshapen, free from decay, and from damage caused by dirt or other foreign matter, disease, insects, mechanical or other means.
a. In order to allow for variations incident to proper grading and handling, the following tolerances, by weight, are provided as specified:
1) Ten percent for pods in any lot which fail to meet the requirements of this grade, including therein not more than 5 percent for defects causing serious damage, and including in this latter amount not more than 1 percent for pods affected by decay.
Visual Aids
Official Visual Aids are available for Purchase. See How to Purchase Visual Aids for more details.
Detailed standards, Inspection Instructions & Other Resources:
- U.S. Grade Standards for Okra (pdf)
- Inspection Instructions for Okra (pdf)
- Unofficial Okra Visual Aid (pdf)