Cardamom
Elettaria cardamomum
01.
Overview
common names
Cardamamus, Cardamom, Grains of Paradise; French: Cardamome; German: Kardamom; Italian: Cardamomo, Cardamone; Spanish: Cardamomo; Thai: grawahn
usable plant parts
seeds, pods
flavor notes
warm, pungent and slightly lemony with low notes of sweetness
cardamom varieties available @
monterey bay spice company
please note: clicking links above
will bring you to the individual product pages
culinary uses
Cardamom is a member of the ginger family known for its unique flavor and aroma, which can be described as smoky, floral, citrus and sweet—all at the same time.
Many traditional Indian dishes feature different varieties of cardamom.
Elettaria, or green cardamom, is combined with condensed milk and sugar to make sweets collectively referred to as mithai. Green cardamom is also used to flavor coffee and teas, most notably
Masala chai.
Since culinary connoisseurs consider green cardamon the premium variety, it is commonly used to flavor meats, poultry, seafood, vegetable dishes, soups and sauces. In contrast,
Amomum, or black cardamom, imparts a slightly mint-like flavor and is an ingredient in
garam masala, a seasoning blend used to flavor curries and rice dishes.
one more fun use
Due to the cool sensation black cardamon leaves on the tongue, it is included in the formula for
Eclipse Breeze, a breath-freshening gum produced by
Wrigley.
02.
Traditional Plant Usage
three cups of coffee
The spice is also a constituent in
gahwa, a festive coffee blend that has become recognized as a symbol of hospitality in Indian households. Should you find yourself fortunate enough to be offered this treat, be aware that it is considered rude to refuse anything less than three cups.
03.
Habitat / Range
farming and processing
Cardamom is a member of the ginger family known for its unique flavor and aroma, which can be described as smoky, floral, citrus and sweet—all at the same time. A native of India and Malaysia, cardamom is harvested in October, and the whole pods are dried in the sun or in curing houses and then sorted according to color.
Common cardamom, or
Elettaria cardamomum, ranges from green to yellow-gray in color. The fruit of other species, however, may be brown, black, red or even white. The flavor of all cardamoms is best preserved when stored as whole pods since the seeds remain intact, although the pods are also ground into a spice. You can also purchase the seeds, which are sold as "decorticated cardamom."
for educational purposes only
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.