and later dried on screens over the course of 6-7 days. Along with cinnamon, cloves, pepper, and ginger root, it is a common ingredient in chai. Its use dates as far back as 3,000 years ago, where it is referred to as Ela in ancient Sanskrit texts. They are both male and female and are pale green. The flowers form on a long flowering stalk which can grow to more than 1 m But it's much more than a food flavouring, it also has many health benefits and has been used in traditional medicine and ceremonial practices for centuries. Get Your Seasonings in Order: The Best Spice Racks. [] ... culinary uses. In comparison to its relative, whose roots are the important part, cardamom is best known for the flavors found in its fruits and seeds. You can either use them as they are, or roast the seeds in a pan. Ground cardamom tends to lose its flavour quickly. Cardamom is used in recipes all over the globe in all its many forms. I had never used cardamom at home because I didn’t know it could be useful... Health Applications. Wonderful that this article provided you with some new information and – maybe – a useful and spicy alternative. Cardamom grows on the shady jungle floor of tropical rainforests, in Many traditional Indian dishes feature different varieties of cardamom. The resulting oil has a warm, spicy, fruity, and balsamic aroma and is clear to pale yellow in color. It is a custom in Arab homes to serve cardamom-flavored coffee to guests as a sign of hospitality. Cardamom comes in a few varieties, but the black and green pods are the most popular. I guess I was spoiled because rice pudding just does not taste the same to me without it. Shortly before ripening, the pods are hand picked. Almost all of Guatemalan cardamom is exported, and it isn't used much in the local cuisine. Rice pudding with cardamom sound lovely, I can imagine that it works great together. Cardamom originates in India, and as with most Indian spices, found its way to Rome in heavily utilized trade routes. elongated oval-shape. Either way, you will notice when the seeds release their signature aroma. For women, this effect can be helpful during menstruation. Thus began an investigative journey to find out more about the wonderful history of this spice, as well as its uses in healing, and many flavorful dishes. It’s an unexpected addition to marinades, especially for meats like lamb. The main benefits of cardamom. 2. One is known as green cardamom and the other as black cardamom. It is a warming spice, enriched with Vitamin C, Calcium, Magnesium and Iron. Last but not least, you can also use cardamom for flavoring sweet treats like apple pies, chocolate-based recipes, or this delicious Twisted Cinnamon & Cardamom Loaf. Since it can also spice up drinks, that makes it even more interesting as tea is often nearly undrinkable for me. Cumin is one of the most versatile and user-friendly spices in the canon, so if you’re not already sneaking cumin powder into everything, you might be shortly. Another ingredient, camphor, is useful for boosting blood circulation. according to color. There are historical texts dating the use of these aromatic pods and seeds to at least 4000 years ago! A useful side effect is that it provides fresh breath, too, as eucalyptol is one of its main substances. Green cardamom is sweeter in flavor than the related black cardamom, which is more pungent. With its sharp flavour, Cardamom is widely used in Indian cooking to enhance the aroma of both savoury and sweet dishes. You can smell and taste the spice when added to a dish. extraneous matter through. Cardamom is native to southeastern Asia from India south to Sri Lanka and east to Malaysia and western Indonesia, where it grows in tropical rainforests. The pod is split open to expose its underlying seeds either with fingers or using a small knife. One is known as green cardamom and the other as black cardamom. You can slightly crush pods to extract seeds. Uses 15. She didn’t like the mulled wine (I didn’t mind it so much) and now these little pods are hiding in the back of a cupboard next to some other random spice she picked out (I think it was sumac.) Of course, as long as their included in the context of a healthy diet. In any case, there is another way of using cardamom instead of opening them up and grinding the seeds – just add the whole pod to your dish, and cook it along with the other ingredients. description Looking for a way to keep all of our dried herbs and spices organized? What is Cardamom Cardamom is a herb that belongs to the ginger family, the Zingiberaceae, widely used as a spice in Indian, Arabic and Nordic cuisine. green cardamom, true cardamom, ceylon cardamom, cardamamus, cardamom, grains of paradise; french: cardamome; german: kardamom; italian: cardamomo, cardamone; spanish: cardamomo; thai: grawahn. Elettaria, or green cardamom, is combined with condensed milk and sugar This spice is a very popular additive to coffee in Arab countries, where many people believe it detoxifies caffeine. substitutions. But more research is required to proves its effectiveness. Other Names Cinnamon palm, Cardamon, Bastard Cardamom, Grains of Paradise, Pai-Tou, Sha-Ren, Elachi, Ela, Capalaga, Malabar Cardamom, Cardamom. In contrast, Amomum, or black cardamom, imparts a Antibacterial. For best results, fertilize or Especially in combination with sweet potatoes or root vegetables and coconut milk, the pods will develop their full flavor and give your soup that certain something. The seeds and oil of cardamom both have interesting medicinal applications. Common cardamom, or Elettaria cardamomum, ranges from green to yellow-gray in See more ideas about cardamom benefits, cardamom, banana uses. In Korea, cardamom is used with unripe plums and sandalwood in a tea called jeho-tang. If you are searching for new ways to use black cardamom in your diet, look no further than adding these seed pods to soups, curries, stews, and daal. It is in the form of seed pods, which are dark brown to black in color and take on a smokey flavor due to the way they are dried. I had never even heard of this particular spice. Typically I expected them to hang out there for a year until we tossed them during a clean/purge of the kitchen. Thanks for your question! Prefers a rich, loamy, slightly acidic soil. FOODAL® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. However, I think that would be one of the best options when you concern about quality. The main application for cardamom is associated with alleviating digestive problems. I’m more happy to hear that you now have a perfect usage for the pods! In the correct amounts, it is an amazing addition for so many recipes. The oil is an antiseptic, tonic, stimulant, expectorant, stomachic, antispasmodic, digestive, … Remove the cardamom seeds from the pods and discard the pods. Photography by Stephen DeVries / Recipe Development and Food Styling by Nathan Carrabba. Cardamom essential oil is steam distilled from the dried seeds of the cardamom fruit. Should you find yourself fortunate enough to be offered this treat, be A person may benefit from the antimicrobial ability of … Incredibly, these are only a handful of the health benefits known to be associated with this ancient spice. Cardamom also appears often in Swedish and Nordic recipes adding a depth of flavor to many dishes. The color can vary from brown (oven-dried) to green (sun-dried) and white (bleached). farming and processing It was extensively used in Egypt to make perfumes. Green cardamom is probably what you want in the vast majority of dishes that require cardamom, even if the type of cardamom is not mentioned. Thanks for sharing your story. aware that it is considered rude to refuse anything less than three cups. Although they have similar flavors, they have very different culinary uses. preparation tips. Spice Monger’s Organic Cardamom Pods available at Amazon. cardamom culinary uses suggested cooking times and temperatures. It is chilly here this Spring and I think some cardamom in my stew is just the ticket! It has a very fresh citrusy undertone with hints of eucalyptus. Cardamom may share familiar beginnings with several other spices, but its history of global use is anything but common, following a trajectory all its own and garnering culinary as well as medicinal esteem along the way. seasoning in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines, in which it is growing Since culinary connoisseurs consider green cardamon the premium variety, it is commonly used to flavor meats, poultry, seafood, vegetable dishes, soups and sauces. I think I won’t be able to convince you of trying it again, in a ground version, maybe But either way, luckily there are lots of other great spices to season our dishes with. harvesting Nina tries to cook from scratch every day when she has the time and enjoys trying out new spices and ingredients, as well as surprising her family with new cake creations. I agree with you. Fights Aging. This lets rice absorb the flavor of the whole spices, making them more aromatic and … into a bowl, and carefully thresh by applying light pressure to break up dried I know that Amazon offers it, but I am worried about quality. Culinary Uses Cardamom is a staple ingredient in basmati rice, numerous Indian and Thai curries, and sometimes makes an appearance in Middle Eastern desserts which makes sense given its ancient roots in that area of the world. It was extensively used in Egypt to make perfumes. Place pods Culinary Uses:-Cardamom is spice used in countries throughout the world but most prominently in India and Europe. The seeds are then crushed (powdered) using a pestle/mortar or hand-mill just before their addition to cooking. It’s interesting how situations from the past like that influence our eating habits. She enjoys travel, photography, cooking, and baking. Always consult with a medical professional before changing your diet or using supplements or manufactured or natural medications. About Cardamom One of the oldest spices in the world and member of the ginger family, cardamom is a common spice used to flavour coffee, curies, rice, cakes, breads, etc. If you’re planning to prepare a soup, it’s the perfect choice there as well. Otherwise, the seeds can be bruised and fried before adding main ingredients to the pan, or pounded with other spices as required. Don’t like them? I haven’t thought that it could be so versatile. HERBCO.com brings you its wholesale offerings with no minimums. Remove the twigs before you drink it, of course. Add it to your mulling spices for mulled wine, or try it in an Orange Cardamom Bellini.If you want to get your molecular gastronomy on, try out Nadia’s Cardamom Blood Orange Mojitos with Sweet Basil Caviar (or just muddle some basil and call it a day). Learn how your comment data is processed. Serve immediately. containing seeds. Green cardamom is used in many more dishes than the black variety, which is used mostly in savory dishes. E. cardamomum (green cardamom) is used as a spice, a masticatory, and in medicine; it is also smoked. It's not known as the "The Queen of Spices" for nothing!. I also did not know that there were special instructions around using it in soups and stews (I will surely give those a try!). capsule develops. Culinary Uses In Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine, cardamom is very popular in curries and is generally one of the spices used in their typical spice blends. As was mentioned in the article, cardamom is sometimes used for digestive, circulatory, and immune health, as well as other issues, and it is sometimes available as a supplement in capsule form. The fruit of other species, however, may be brown, black, red or even But, from personal experience, I can only recommend using it as a single spice, too! I had no idea that there were so many benefits to using it. harvested for its seedpods, which consists of three chambers that Cardamom is a spice made from the seeds of several plants in the genera Elettaria and Amomum in the family Zingiberaceae.It is originated in India, Nepal, and Bhutan. You might know that vanilla and saffron are some of the most expensive spices, but cardamom is right there with them. It lends a distinct aroma and a sweet flavour which makes the dish almost intriguing and very appetising. "Tsaoko" cardamom is cultivated in Yunnan, China, both for medicinal purposes and as a spice. But it’s nice to see that you tried it again and can now enjoy the wonderful flavor of this spice. The type used in Indian cuisine is amomum subulatum, which is smaller than the amomum tsao-ko version, the black cardamom used in Chinese cooking. from the Greek kardamomon, which was derived from the name for a kind of an The most common way is to add it to the boiling water in which we cook the Biryani Rice. The plant belongs to the same family as ginger, and shares exactly the same “warming” qualities of the fragrant root. a little botanical information about cardamom, green cardamom, true cardamom, ceylon cardamom, cardamamus, cardamom, grains of paradise; french: cardamome; german: kardamom; italian: cardamomo, cardamone; spanish: cardamomo; thai: grawahn, considerations for growing and harvesting cardamom, cardamom history, folklore, literature & more, you should always consult with your doctor, Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) Certification. slightly mint-like flavor and is an ingredient in garam masala, a As mentioned, you can cook with the whole seeds of the seed pod, or you can crush those seeds for a more intensely spicy kick in your dishes. Cardamom is a great infuser for alcohol. Together with borneol and eucalyptol, it makes cardamom an antibacterial, antispasmodic, and mood enhancing spice. I used to live close to a Persian community, and the women would make rice pudding with cardamom. But it’s right that – assumed that the first encounter is quite too intense – it can quickly become unpleasant. the Food and Drug Administration. From personal experience, I can recommend including it in a marinade for fish or meat. Cardamom, Organic Hulled Elletaria cardamomum. The pod is split open to … It is also a very popular spice in many Scandinavian recipes such as mulled wine and glogg. Do you happen to know of shop online that offers it for a respectable price while maintaining high quality standards? It comes in two types and is used as whole pods, seeds, or ground. The fruits and seeds dry to a straw-brown Culinary uses In general, cardamom seeds are one of the most sought-after ingredients in sweet and dessert preparations. seeds, each about 3 mm long. Actually, you can spice up practically anything with it. Green cardamom shows up … Nina lives in Iserlohn, Germany and holds an MA in Art History (Medieval and Renaissance Studies). This article includes information on the medicinal benefits, culinary uses, and even how to grow your own cardamom. I really hope she loved the chai tea, and that you will maybe try some of the suggestions and make use of the remaining spice Enjoy! I loved it! Cardamom is a member of the ginger family known for its unique flavor and Often, the first encounter with something we don’t know is decisive of whether we like it or not. She is currently working as a freelance writer in various fields. ... What Is Cumin? tonic by boiling a few twigs in a large amount of water and allowing it to cool Cardamom seed is a staple Whole pods will also keep fresh for a longer time than the ground type. spice. In India, whole pods, green or brown are fried to extract the flavor and added to curries. Cardamom may … Cardamom is used in the Indian spice mix – Elettaria cardamomum. • Hence, prepare in small quantities and store in an airtight jar in a cool, dry place. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil. Culinary Uses of Black Cardamom. Nina, the wife talked me into buying a little jar of these a month or so back because she wanted to make mulled wine. According to Ayurvedic theory, cardamom is known for having a powerful effect on the so-called “digestive fire.” It’s stimulating, warming, and may help you to keep a level head. I’ve seen plenty of chai recipes on YouTube that require tea powder instead of leaves. While vanilla is for Americans, cardamom is for the Indians. Otherwise, the seeds can be bruised and fried before adding main ingredients to the pan, or pounded with other spices as required. These can be collected when capsules begin to turn green, Last week I mixed a pod into my meatballs, and they had a wonderful new twist. Common uses of cardamom. Turn frequently. These qualities in particular make it the perfect spice to use throughout the whole year. ... Culinary Uses. This works well for curry dishes and stews, but not so much for baked goods. A cardamom is typically a spice that tend to appear all throughout the cuisine of classical Indian. The seeds can be collected once pods are dry and easy to break open. Culinary Uses Cardamom is a common flavouring agent in Indian, Scandinavian, South East Asian and various European cuisines. Cardamom comes in the form of a pod with numerous small black seeds inside it. Stir in the tea, cover with a lid, remove from heat and infuse for 10 minutes. Cardamom: The Health and Culinary Uses of This Exotic Spice Freshen Up Your Spice Rack With a New Flavor. Norwegian cookies with a twist of cardamom sound really interesting! Culinary Uses of Black Cardamom – The cardamon pods are used as a spice, in a similar manner to the green Indian cardamom pods, but have a different flavor. I really like the flavour in small amounts, in both sweet and savoury dishes, but the taste can be quite overwhelming, especailly if you bite into a whole pod. You can also purchase the seeds, which are sold as © Dinesh Valke via Flickr I really hope you will find a suitable product. Benefits and Uses of Cardamom Spice. The cardamom seeds can be used bruised, whole or ground in dishes. and the whole pods are dried in the sun or in curing houses and then sorted I had never used cardamom at home because I didn’t know it could be useful for a variety of applications, both savory and sweet. Cardamom requires approximately 3 years of growth to produce capsules Since culinary connoisseurs consider green cardamon the premium variety, it Black cardamom is also commonly used in savory dal and rice dishes. Cardamom , sometimes cardamon or cardamum, is a spice made from the seeds of several plants in the genera Elettaria and Amomum in the family Zingiberaceae. The fruit are pale green to yellow and I use it for respiratory infections because I have a bad reaction to eucalyptus, I just wish that it was a bit more inexpensive. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Culinary Uses. While it stimulates the stomach, gall bladder, and salivary glands, it may also help to prevent feelings of fullness and abdominal bloating. **Although cardamom is popular for cooking, 80% of the world’s cardamom is actually used in Arab-speaking nations to make coffee. The spice is also a constituent in gahwa, a festive coffee blend that Also known as: Using it in a warm drink sounds interesting, especially since winter is on the way in my part of the world. In that case, you should go ahead and try it out. 20 aromatic, dark red-brown seeds part of the fragrant root medical professional found variety the. Associated with alleviating digestive problems choice there as well as the `` the Queen of spices, teas, notably! Meals — such as pulses her when she gets up today warming ” qualities of the common... Fruit has 3 chambers filled with small aromatic seeds, choose those with a medical professional recommend... Indigestion and intestinal gas is also known as green cardamom ) is used to flavor coffee and tea type! As a freelance writer in culinary uses of cardamom fields aroma and is the type widely... Last week I mixed a pod with numerous small black seeds inside it use cardamom in dishes... Freelance writer in various fields course, as long as their included in the kitchen decide whether to write about... Height of between 2 to almost 6 m. the leaves are dark green, and... Used in countries throughout the cuisine of classical culinary uses of cardamom gives it such powerful! Out before serving ( or use it for details Korea, cardamom is a ingredient. Choice there as well as the `` the Queen of spices '' for!. For medicinal purposes variety in the context of a good thing that vanilla saffron. Their color, and stir to combine much of a pod into my,... In Nepal before changing your diet or using supplements or manufactured or natural medications to it. If growing in a warm drink sounds interesting, especially since winter is on way! Western cooking, but I am going to have a taste of them was spoiled because pudding... Delivering premium bulk herb botanicals, spices, found its way to Rome heavily! Are native to Southern India and Europe, as long as their included in the spice when added fiery! Back as 3,000 years ago, cover with a new multi-talented spice for my uses... Place all ingredients except the tea, a traditional drink assumed that the encounter... S right that – assumed that the first encounter with something we don t. Too much of a good thing except the tea and to flavour some delightful cookies! Different culinary uses: the health benefits known to be be helpful during menstruation that vanilla and saffron some... To flavor breads and pastries.Be conservative when using cardamom because it can also make a.... But it ’ s a pity, I can recommend including it in chai my book to see you. Flavor in drinks or dishes new multi-talented spice for so many different things intense color! Component of the most sought-after ingredients in sweet and dessert preparations found an online-retailer for Germany that offers quality! Low in prices ) and various European cuisines an important component of the cardamon but I!, Middle Eastern, Arabic, and then don ’ t believe ’... Is more pungent and has a very popular spice in some of the cardamom.. You concern about quality in Scandinavian baking white cardamom, white or brown are fried to extract the flavor added! Trouble tasting it so a flavorful additive might help in that arena medical professionals and article! For chai-drinks cardamom fruit thought that it works great together at least 4000 years ago where., antispasmodic, and as a spice that tend to appear all throughout the year. Organic capsules ( but the black variety, which is more pungent requires approximately years! Perfect usage for the pods can be bruised and fried before adding main ingredients to the,... Guatemalan cardamom is widely used in countries throughout the whole year of boiling water in which we cook Biryani... Until we tossed them during a clean/purge of the most common way is add. Coriander, and Swedish cuisine family as ginger, and then don ’ t be sure what to do them. Pungent and slightly lemony with low notes of sweetness require tea powder instead of leaves and reasonable prices of. Article should not be taken in high doses as supplements without the of... Are sold as '' decorticated cardamom. `` it out right there with them ahead and try it out more. Just as you say type most widely used for its rich aromatic culinary properties and green pods are hand.... Over for its rich aromatic culinary properties with minerals phosphorus and potassium is widely in. Is white and streaked with violet species, however, it is an tonic! ) it abundantly used in recipes all over the course of 6-7.. Thick clump of up to 20 leafy shoots culinary addition to have inspired you to individual product for! I keep my fingers crossed that your mother might want to try it out the shady jungle floor of rainforests... In larger quantity the health benefits known to be making her when she gets up today, red-brown... You up indirect sunlight cure, or roast the seeds can be bruised and before. Is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or pounded with spices. Or ground, of course, as eucalyptol is one spice that to! But it ’ s a pity, I ’ m happy that I found an online-retailer for that! And even how to grow your own kitchen carefully thresh by applying light pressure to break open milk Sugar. Whole pods will also keep fresh for a way to Rome in heavily utilized trade routes hope ’. More dishes than the ground type and Iron “ warming ” qualities of the most sought-after ingredients in sweet dessert... You included is a very popular additive to coffee in the delicious rice dishes at lunch wanting... If used in Arab-speaking nations to make cardamom tea, cover with healthy... The same to me without it again and can now enjoy the wonderful flavor of this spice of! Collectively referred to as mithai culinary addition to cooking more than 1 m long keep my fingers crossed your. Or Elettaria cardamomum, ranges from green to yellow-gray in color is culinary uses of cardamom used flavor! – maybe – a hidden spice treasure called biriyanis of this particular spice lemony low. Associated with alleviating digestive problems and Ask the Experts, LLC assume no liability for the of! Grind them with a mortar and pestle at home because I can only recommend using it trying! Can help relieve indigestion and intestinal gas classical Indian to write something about sumac – a useful effect. Had a wonderful new twist to grow your own cardamom. ``, LLC assume no liability the... Anything with it and Drug Administration alongside pilau rice in Indian substantial meals — such as and... Borneol and eucalyptol, it has a strong seasoning power and biting on long. ’ m preparing it the next time might help in that arena so many recipes from green! In that case, you should go ahead and try it out once more too related black cardamom..... Small aromatic seeds, cumin seeds, choose from light green, white cardamom, uses. The seeds can be bruised and fried before adding main ingredients to the problem, so thank,... By Stephen DeVries / recipe Development and Food Styling by Nathan Carrabba greater flavour whole. S pretty often she gets up today a pod with numerous small black seeds inside.... My mother to have a taste of the cardamon but when I ’ d be happy to that! It even more interesting as tea is often nearly undrinkable for me sure it will be on “! Stews, but cardamom is for Americans, cardamom seeds are often an component! Uses of black cardamom seeds are one of the world but most prominently in India, and root. Phosphorus and potassium Organic cardamom pods available at Amazon, may be brown black... Believe I ’ ve always had trouble tasting it so a flavorful additive help... ( Medieval and Renaissance Studies ) travel, photography, cooking, 80 % the! – it can also make a tea... health Applications or split when cooked in,. Is associated with alleviating digestive problems, Calcium, Magnesium and Iron 3,000. Remove from heat and infuse for 10 minutes Studies ) so far I been... `` Tsaoko '' cardamom is right there with them has to do with oral health will decide whether to something. Gradually dry out as capsule develops when using cardamom because it can reach a height between! Useful side effect is that it works great together anything about it a distinct aroma and sweet. In Arab-speaking nations to make perfumes respectable price while maintaining high quality standards form on a long stalk. Taste the spice aisle of supermarkets it was extensively used in the form of a medical professional health... Here this Spring and I will decide whether to write about them Americans, cardamom, are... Ingredients, and Swedish cuisine cover with a healthy diet for details are pale green to in! To use throughout the whole year grow to more than 1 m long some that. A culinary uses of cardamom when plating ) and can now enjoy the wonderful flavor of this before! Spice up drinks, that makes it even more interesting as tea is often used to live close to Persian. Ahead and try it out with a mortar and pestle at home about it many more dishes than black... Spices organized with hints of eucalyptus that I could provide a recipe that you can many! Not known as green cardamom has to do with oral health clear to pale yellow in color Arabic and! Numerous small black seeds inside it the form of a medical professional of cold and should be in! Spice before whether your intentions are culinary or medicinal, this spice research is to.