Cardamom has played a vital role in our daily lives, from the kitchen to medicine. It has been a part of our culinary and medicine since the 21st century. Romans and Egyptians infused their essential oils with their seeds, while Ayurveda in India regarded it as a herb. Farmers primarily cultivate cardamom in India, Indonesia, and Guatemala. Its aromatic and spicy flavor makes it popular in various cuisines, from buns and flatbreads to teas, drinks, and both savory and sweet dishes. This highly fragrant spice comes from the seeds of the ginger family plant, Zingiberaceae.
What is a Cardamom?
Cardamom, also known as the “Queen of Spices” is derived from the seeds of a plant in the ginger family. Its piney, peppery flavor, and aromas make it a part of many cuisines around the world. In India, Middle East, and Scandinavian cuisines, cardamom has been cherished for centuries.
They are also known for their health benefits including digestive support and antioxidant properties. It is a spice with a sweet-smelling aroma and spicy flavor which makes it a part of cooking and wellness. It is an ovular-shaped fruit that contains small black pods with a thin papery outer shell. Let’s get to know more about it.
Types of Cardamom
There are many varieties of cardamom, each has its own flavour and culinary uses. The two most common types of Cardamoms are Green and Black Cardamoms.
Green Cardamom: It is also known as “true cardamom”. It contains small pods filled with flavorful seeds. They are sweet in flavor with a hint of citrus, which makes them easy to use in sweet and savory dishes. They are often used in teas, baked goods, and various other dishes.
Black Cardamom: They are large in shape and black in color, their exterior is rough and wrinkled. Black cardamom tastes smoky and earthy and more strong. Cardamom attributes prominently in Indian and Asian cuisines, enhancing savory dishes like curries, stews, and rice with meat.”
Nutrition:
Many people are making cardamom as a part of their daily diet for overall health. It contains minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. Let’s break down the key nutrients:
Macronutrients: Cardamoms provide protein, carbohydrates, and fat. 100 grams of these pods contains:
Carbohydrate: 68 grams
Protein: 11 grams
Fats: 6 grams
Calories: 300 to 350
These are rich in minerals like potassium, magnesium, iron, and calcium. Along with these, they are rich in vitamins like vitamin C, and vitamins B2, B3, and B6. Cardamoms are also rich in antioxidants. Including this in your diet enriches it with vitamins and minerals.
Cardamom Pods
These pods contain small seeds inside the papery outer shell of cardamom. You can use whole or ground according to your preferences. You can find these in a whole shell, in a seed form, or grounded in powder form. Add whole pods to hearty meals, use the pods in teas, and incorporate the powder into a variety of sweet dishes that give the flavor and aroma to your dishes.
Culinary Uses:
- You can use this spice in many dishes and beverages.
- You can simply use it in making tea, rice, stews, and curries.
- You can also use its seeds in baked goods to give it another level.
- They can also be part of spice blends like chai and garam masala.
- You can infuse Cardamoms in liquids.
Recipes made with Cardamoms
You can make many dishes from Cardamoms. From savory to sweet, it has got all covered. These are two recipes for you to try, like Cardamom buns and Cardamom Tea.
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