Green cardamom pods always reminds me of hot cardamom tea. There are mainly 3 types of cardamom green cardamom, brown cardamom and black cardamom. Green Cardamom is the queen of spice and third most most expensive spice in the world. I have started a series for all Indian spices wherein I will post all spices also share their benefits, characteristics and the recipes in which they are used. Thanks to my visit in Sahakari Spice Garden at Ponda-Goa which enlightened me with more information of Indian Spices. I have already shared information on Tirphal – Sichuan Pepper click here for more information.
Characteristic Of Green Cardamom – Cardamom grows on the roots of the plant. The outer covering is green in color and spindle shaped and texture is papery. The seeds are black in color which have strong aroma and flavor. First the flowers boom and then cardamom starts growing. Gautemala is the number one producer for Cardamoms then followed by India. Green Cardamom is also known as Elaichi Or Velchi in India.
Which kind of Dishes Green Cardamom is used? Mostly green cardamom is used all over the world. In India Green Cardamom is used for cardamom tea, garam masala powder, tea masala powder, milk masala powder, Mithai (Sweets) and also as whole garam masala spice for curries and vegetables. Internationally cardamom is used for making sweets, cakes, cookies and desserts. You could check out my Eggless Almond Cardamom cake right on this link.
Benefits of Green Cardamom– Both the husk and seeds are of great importance. Green Cardamom helps in boosting memory power. Green Cardamom tea also curbs Migraine. So people having migraines should have cardamom tea + ginger + lemon grass. It’s also used for treating digestive disorders. Also fights Oral health like gum infection prevents bad breath.
How does Cardamom taste? Cardamom is strong and aromatic. It has a warm, spicy-sweet and lemony flavor.
Where to buy Cardamom from and which kind of cardamom to buy? You could buy Green Cardamom from a spice shop Or from Goa Or Kerala or some spice garden where you would get the best and fresh spice in India. Otherwise you could buy Green Cardamom from Organic shops even like Fab India has good Green Cardamom. The greener the cardamom the better and fragrant it is. So watch out what color of cardamom you buying as in cities you get pale green Or creamish cardamom. Even I have eaten such pale cardamoms but now that I know I will go for the green ones and not compromise for any color. Rupal Barot of http://bonapetitfoodies.blogspot.com/ has shared me with me one more benefit which I share with everyone. Cardamom is fed to infants if they get runny nose Or cold. For an infant the dose is to chew 1 cardamom a day & elder 2-3/ day during cough cold season. As one of it’s quality is heat. It produce heat in the body and not allow get cough or cold. One of the reason to add cardamom into sweets is also to avoid cough generated by eating sweets. Thanks Rupal for this update.
So do include Green Cardamom in your diet but in a limited quantity. As there is a saying have everything in limits and not beyond limit be it food Or anything else in life. By the way this saying is mine ha ha 😉
Sue says
I was thinking of blending the husk and seeds and use a 1/4 of a teaspoon to add to my reddish tea.
What do you think?
Thank you.
Sue.D
maria says
Yes you can do that.
Peg says
So glad I found your post! Thank you . I can eat the whole pod then? 🙂
maria says
Thanks Peg you could eat the whole pod but how it would taste don’t know. You could add them is desserts like cake, sweets, tea etc.
Ella says
Hi Maria,
Very good information on cardamoms.
Can we prescribe this cardamom tea to an elderly woman who has lost her memory due to old age..will it help regain her memory?
Also please advise if it can be stored in the fridge in order to retain its freshness and green colour because it turns pale yellow if stored in bottles on the kitchen shelf.
Thank you
Ella
maria says
Ella a big thankyou for your kind words 🙂 you could add a pinch of cardamom powder for a cup of tea. It would surely help her however just check with an ayurvedic doctor for ingredients and prescription. Also believed brahmi herb is good for regaining memory and wisdom. You could also soak some almonds and give the next morning as almonds are also great for memory power. As in Indian soaked almonds are always given to school and college kids specially during exams to revive their memory. So please consult an ayurveda specialist for her I am sure it would help her.
Just roast the cardamom a bit and then powder as this would help in long lasting of green color and also the spice powder would stay long. You could keep it in the fridge but if you stay in cold country then its okay to keep stored out. Hope this information would help you.
Zandra says
Many thanks, Maria!
Zandra
maria says
You welcome Zandra 🙂
Zandra says
Thanks for the great information, Maria.
Would it be possible to post instructions and proportions for making the green cardamom-ginger-lemongrass tea for migraines?
Thanks!
maria says
You are welcome Zandra 🙂 For Migraines you could make a special cardamom-ginger-lemon grass tea.
Ingredients:
1/ inch ginger grated
1 whole green cardamom crushed
1 lemon grass blade fresh Or dried chopped into 3 to 4 pieces
1 t/s tea
2 cups water
milk and sugar as required.
Take a vessel add water, crushed cardamom, chopped lemon grass, grated ginger. Add sugar if using at this point. Place on medium heat allow the water to cook. Once it starts bubbling add tea powder. Boil for another 4 to 5 mins. Lastly add milk switch off the gas. Strain and have this tea twice a day. Continue until you get relief from Migraine.
Hope this helps you Zandra!
Take care.
Love,
Maria
Frank @ Kraemers Culinary Blog says
This is great information and I’m glad I read it. Now I have to look for green cardamom. I knew cardamom was healthy, since we use this spice a lot in Germany, but I didn’t know all the facts. Thanks for sharing.
maria says
You are welcome Frank do get some cardamom take care.
Madhu says
It is used in most indian sweets ……….it is known as an Indian spice ……….also in masala chais ……..but it tastes excellent in cakes too . It is mostly used in semolina cakes but it is great in other cakes too .
maria says
Thanks for sharing these information Madhu 🙂
Suzanne perazzini says
I have never thought about on what part of the plant the cardamon seeds are found. I like the idea of them increasing memory power. We do use them quite a bit but must up my intake for my memory.
maria says
Yes Suzanne all spices are magical and to see hoe they grow is a miracle.
sunita says
Hi Maria
I am getting the aroma of this spice sitting in my office, ummmmmmm….. i love this spice and i include it in all my recipes whereever possible. good post after a long time
Take care and hope you enjoyed
Sunita
maria says
Thanks Sunita I had a great time 🙂
swati says
one of my favourite spice, no indian sweet is complete without this….
maria says
Yes Swati I agree with you 🙂
Spicie Foodie says
Hi Maria,
I love green cardamom. I didn’t know it was the third most expensive spice. Now I’ll cherish it even more. This is a really great and informative post. Thanks for sharing!
maria says
Thanks Nancy 🙂