Cardamom is a little green pod full of aromatic magic that makes food taste so much better. Ever wondered what makes some sweets or dishes smell so good and taste so delightful to your senses? Cardamom is often the secret ingredient! It is a tiny little spice that may look minute but has everything of the world in it.
The card would come in a pod and inside that are little seeds that are packed with flavour. It is these seeds that are all powdery and wonderful, which give flavour to cardamom.
Yes, cardamom is called “the queen of spices” as it tastes really rich and royal. It is found most commonly in cuisines all around the world, from India to the Middle East and it grows as far north up on Finland. The world of cardamom and why this spice is unique.
What Is Cardamom?
Cardamom is a spice made from the seeds of several plants in the ginger family. It typically grows in warmer regions such as India, Guatemala and Sri Lanka.
Not only are the plants tall with dark green leaves, but they also grow pods! These pods are the home of cardamom seeds. We use the seeds to make this amazing spice.
Cardamom is of two types: Amomum subulatum (Black) and Elettaria cardamom ( Green). The most popular type, Green Cardamom is largely used in sweet dishes and teas.
It tastes sweet and spicy, that tends to be mildly minty. Black cardamom has a more pungent, smoked flavour and is used for savoury dishes like curries or stews.
How Does Cardamom Grow?
Cardamom is a plant that thrives in warm, steamy rainforests. It is a slow crop to build, often requiring years before the plants bear pods. The farmers must be so patient!
When mature, the farmers hand-pick green pods of this plant. It is tedious work because the pods are concealed behind leaves and are very tiny. The picked pods are dried and used as a spice. Only a few are broken and a few are extracted from the pods.
Why Do People Use Cardamom?
Cardamom is a versatile ingredient. You can either crush the seeds to release their flavour or add whole pods of them into dishes. Cardamom is a great fit for many dishes and drinks as it adds warm, sweetness that most other spices can not provide.
Cardamom is primarily used to prepare sweets. Cardamom is a largely added dessert dish like rice pudding in India and is popularly known as kheer.
In Scandinavian countries, it is used for baking to give a nice taste in breads and buns. At the same time, in some Middle Eastern countries coffee, various spices are added cardamom is just one of them.
The thing is, cardamom isn’t just dessert. Savoury dishes also use it. Cardamom is used in curries and stews to enhance the flavour of food as per Benaresrestaurantsraj.com. Others garnish their tea with a pinch of cardamom for some soothing sipper.
Uses and Health Benefits of Cardamom
You can use cardamom to add flavour that is good for you! This adds a little spice to your daily life that has been used in traditional medicine for thousands of years. Cardamoms are believed to be useful for health and added to everything
Cardamom for Digestion One of the most popular and well-known uses of cardamon is its aid in digestion. Cardamom – If you have a tummy ache or if ye eaten too much and feel full, cardamom will help. It is also a mouthwash or antiseptic. Have you chewed gum yesterday to smell nice? In some countries, those cardamom seeds are chewed.
It is also said to relieve colds and coughs. If you have a sore throat, drink some tea with cardamom. Besides, cardamom is rich in antioxidant content that makes it health beneficial or promotes wellness.
Fun Facts About Cardamom
Cardamom Cardamom: Did you know that cardamom is one of the oldest spices in existence? It has a history of over 4000 years! It even featured in the ancient perfumes of the Egyptians and was originally used to clean teeth.
Cardamom was also used as a medicine in ancient India and even sacrificed to the gods during religious ceremonies. Interestingly, cardamom is the most costly spice in the world after saffron and vanilla.
It takes a lot of hard work similarly in case anyone grows cardamom. A little goes a long way with cardamom, so just adding the tiniest sprinkle can make your dish taste great.
How to Use Cardamom at Home
Cardamom is an extremely versatile spice, and you can use it in a variety of ways at home. Cardamom would work perfectly for your baking when you are going to bake any cookies or cakes.
You would be surprised by the change that even just a pinch of ground cardamom can do. Another way to use Turmeric is by adding it to your morning oatmeal for some warmth and spice.
Those who love drinking tea can add some cardamom pods to their teapot. Your tea will taste special and smell fantastic. Oh and if you are feeling adventurous, then cardamom rice or curries.
Cardamom is bold, a little bit goes a long way. You can always add more if you need to.
Conclusion
Cardamom the MaGical spice!! Cardamom may be ancient, but it continues to win the hearts and mouths of people globally due to its numerous health benefits as well as great taste.
Whether you are making cookies, tea or something savoury cardamom is a perfect aromatic ingredient for your meals. Whenever you next get a whiff of warming sweetness, remember the tiny little pod propagating an array of inventions inside it!
