Cardamom Spice

Cardamom spice is the world's second most expensive spice, just next to saffron. Cardamom is actually a member of the same family, to which ginger and turmeric belong. There are two varieties or genera of cardamom, known as Elettaria and Amomum, both of which belong to the same family Zingiberaceae. Elettaria is generally referred as the 'true cardamom' or green cardamom and can be distinguished by the green color of the seedpod. On the other hand, the Amomum variety is larger than the Elettaria variety, and has a brown colored seedpod.

Amomum cardamom is also known as black cardamom and brown cardamom. The green or true cardamom is indigenous to India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and some other areas of the southern Asia, while the black cardamom is native to Asia and Australia. The cardamom seedpods are generally harvested before they ripe, after which they are dried in the sun or with the help of drying machine. The seedpods of both the varieties enclose a number of small and highly aromatic black seeds. Cardamom spice can be found in the cuisines across the world, but more commonly in Indian, Middle Eastern, European, as well as in Scandinavian cuisines.

Cardamom Spice Uses

Cardamom has mainly found two uses, as a spice and as a medicine or herbal remedy for a number of ailments. In ancient times, however, cardamom was considered so precious that it was stored for some special occasions like, weddings. Cardamom is also one of the oldest spices, known to mankind. In ancient Egypt, cardamom seeds was chewed, mainly to cleanse the teeth, while Greeks and Romans appreciated its intense aroma so much, that they used it as a perfume. Even now cardamom is one of the most highly valued and expensive spices around the world.

Today, cardamom is a common ingredient in a number of Indian dishes, due to its unique taste and sweet and floral, yet spicy flavor. The black or brown cardamom is more aromatic than the green variety with a strong astringent flavor. Apart from Indian dishes, cardamom spice is frequently used in baking cookies and sweetbreads in Scandinavian countries. In the Middle East, cardamom, the green one features in sweet dishes. In Arab and Turkey, cardamom is used to flavor coffee. The seeds are ground, and then added to coffee, or a few of the seedpods are simply kept in the coffeepot for adding that rich aroma of cardamom to coffee. Arabs also use this spice for making their traditional rice dishes.

Even in India, cardamom is used to make special tea, called 'masala chai' or spiced tea. In India, it is used in traditional Indian sweets and also for garnishing basmati rice. The black cardamom is often used along with other spices to make 'garam masala', that is used in curry. Apart from these, cardamom can be used in pickles, seafood, meat, poultry, vegetables, desserts and pastries. As a traditional medicine, cardamom is used for digestive ailments, infection of the teeth and gum, congestion, and for breaking up gallstones and kidney stones. It was also reported to be used as an antidote for snake, as well as scorpion venom. Find out more about cardamom coffee and cardamom tea.

Cardamom Spice Health Benefits

Cardamom is considered as a stimulant and carminative, and most of its health benefits are attributed to the presence of volatile oils like, camphor, eucalyptol, terpinene, borneol and limonene and the phytochemicals like, cineole. All these compounds can have a number of health benefits for the body systems, especially for the digestive system. Cardamom spice stimulates the digestive system and hence, improves digestion and promote appetite. It helps to reduce gas in the alimentary canal, and provides relief in acidity. For this reason, cardamom is used for relieving gas, flatulence and stomach cramps. It can be effective for preventing nausea and vomiting as well.

Tea prepared with cardamom and cinnamon on the other hand, is used to treat throat troubles such as, sore throat and hoarseness. Halitosis or bad breath, respiratory allergies and asthma, and congestion of the lung can also be alleviated with cardamom spice. Cardamom is believed to have detoxifying properties, for which it may help to cleanse the body. Even for the kidneys and the urinary tract, cardamom spice can prove quite beneficial. It can be used for treating mouth ulcers, urinary tract infection, bronchitis, spasms and convulsions, and for improving blood circulation to the lungs. However, too much of cardamom is not considered as good for the digestive system. More information on cardamom benefits.

So, cardamom is one the finest spices that not only enhances the flavor of a dish, but provides a number of health benefits as well. As far as substitution is concerned, only a few spices can be used as cardamom spice alternatives. Normally, cinnamon, mace, cloves, nutmeg and coriander seeds are used as cardamom spice substitutes. But they cannot completely substitute the unique flavor of cardamom. Cardamom spice is generally stored in its pod form, as the seeds tend to lose their aroma once they are exposed or ground.