This article explores the different types of cardamom, its history, its nutritional profile, how it benefits your health, its potential side effects, how to cook and store it, and more. Read on!
What Is Cardamom?
Popularly known as “Elaichi” in Hindi, “Aelakka” in Malayalam, “Elakkai” in Tamil, “Yelakulu” in Telugu, “Yalakki” in Kannada, “Ilaychi” in Gujarati, “Hr̥daya rōga” in Nepali and “Huba alhal” in Arabic – cardamom is a spice made from the seeds of several plants belonging to the family Zingiberaceae. The spice is native to India, Bhutan, Nepal, and Indonesia. Cardamom pods are small (that’s how they are recognized), triangular in cross-section, and shaped as spindles. Called the Queen of Spices, cardamom is the world’s third most expensive spice – surpassed only by saffron and vanilla. And not just that – this spice comes in different types as well.
What Are The Different Types Of Cardamom?
Green and black cardamom – the two major types. Green cardamom, also known as true cardamom, is the commonest variety. This is distributed from India to Malaysia.
It is used to flavor both sweet and savory dishes. It is also added to rich curries and milk-based preparations for its fragrance. Tea and coffee are also spiced with cardamom.
Black cardamom is native to the Eastern Himalayas and is mostly cultivated in Sikkim, Eastern Nepal, and parts of West Bengal in India. It is brown and slightly elongated.
It is used only in savory dishes like curries and biryani. It is also an essential ingredient in garam masala (the blend of spices). The dark brown seeds are known for their medicinal values – particularly so because of their nutrient content (volatile oils, calcium, iron, etc.).
We also have ground cardamom – which is nothing but what we get when the spice is crushed to obtain cardamom powder. This spice does have an interesting history.
What Is The History Of Cardamom?
The use of cardamom dates back to at least 4,000 years. Considered one of the world’s oldest spices, it was used in ancient Egypt for its medicinal properties – and even as a part of rituals and embalming. And the Romans and Greeks used this spice for its pungent aroma. The Vikings discovered it during their travels and brought it back to Scandinavia. As of today, Guatemala is the largest producer of this spice in the world. The spice is believed to have originally come from the Western Ghats in Southern India. All of this is not as important as what is inside cardamom – the nutrients that make it what it is today.
What Is The Nutritional Profile Of Cardamom?
And now, we head to the benefits.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Cardamom?
Cardamom helps improve digestive health and prevents certain serious ailments like cancer. It also aids in diabetes treatment and helps you cope with depression. You can include cardamom in your diet as you usually do or even take cardamom milk (also called elaichi milk) to avail the wondrous benefits.
1. Improves Digestive Health
According to an Indian study, cardamom can be used in cuisines not just for flavor, but also for enhancing digestion (1). The spice also stimulates metabolism, given its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (2). Cardamom is also known to stimulate the secretion of bile acid in the stomach, further aiding in digestion and proper fat metabolism (3). The spice also prevents other gastrointestinal ailments like acid reflux, heartburn, diarrhea, etc.
2. Promotes Heart Health
Its antioxidant properties can promote heart health. Cardamom also contains fiber, the nutrient that can help lower cholesterol levels and enhance heart health. The spice also can lower blood pressure levels – and this benefits the heart. Simply have a concoction of a teaspoon of coriander and a pinch of cardamom along with a cup of freshly squeezed peach juice. Black cardamom seems to work much better than its green cousin when it comes to heart health. One study conducted on patients with ischemic heart disease had their plasma lipid profiles and antioxidant status and fibrinolytic activity (a process that prevents blood clots from growing and causing problems) getting better post the ingestion of black cardamom (4). As per a report by the Harvard Medical School, cardamom is one of the ingredients heart experts usually include in their dinners (5).
3. Aids In Cancer Prevention
Cardamom has exhibited its potential as a natural cancer treatment. Several animal studies have shown that the spice can be used to prevent, delay, and even reverse cancer formation. As per one Saudi Arabian study, administration of cardamom powder had reduced the occurrence of tumors (6). Cardamom also decreases general inflammation, which inhibits the growth of cancer cells and encourages their death. Another Saudi Arabian study states that cardamom has the potential to treat forestomach cancer. The spice had also shown desirable effects on chemically induced colorectal cancer in mice (7).
4. Has Diuretic Properties
Cardamom has diuretic properties that can benefit cases of hypertension, heart failure, and epilepsy (8). These diuretic properties of cardamom also aid in detoxification.
5. Helps Fight Depression
According to a health report, cardamom can indeed help people cope with depression. Just powder a few seeds of cardamom and boil them in water along with your everyday tea. Take the tea regularly for better results (9).
6. Fights Asthma
Cardamom plays a role in fighting asthma symptoms like wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest. The spice makes breathing easier by enhancing blood circulation within the lungs. It also fights related inflammation by soothing the mucus membranes. Another report says that green cardamom can be used to treat asthma, bronchitis, and numerous other respiratory issues (10).
7. Aids In Diabetes Treatment
Cardamom is extremely rich in manganese – a mineral that can lower the risk of diabetes. However, a lot more research is required in this aspect.
8. Improves Oral Health
Cardamom possesses antimicrobial properties that enhance oral health. Cardamom can protect against oral pathogens like Streptococci mutans (11). The pungent taste of cardamom even stimulates the salivary flow – and this can help prevent dental caries. Cardamom can also work well in treating bad breath. Especially when you take a mixture of spices, including the seeds of anise, cardamom, and fennel – bad breath wouldn’t be a problem anymore (12).
9. Enhances Appetite
One Polish study emphasizes on the use of cardamom for treating a lack of appetite (13). Even cardamom oil can be used as an appetite stimulant (14). Cardamom can also aid in the treatment of histoplasmosis – a condition in which one of the symptoms is a lack of appetite (15).
10. Lowers Blood Pressure Levels
According to an Indian study, cardamom effectively lowers blood pressure (16). You can simply include cardamom in your soups and stews or even baked items to keep your blood pressure levels in check.
11. Improves Sexual Health
Cardamom is a proven aphrodisiac. The spice is rich in a compound called cineole, and just a small pinch of cardamom powder can release nerve stimulants and fuel your passions. Some reports say that cardamom can also treat impotence. Further research is warranted.
12. Can Treat Hiccups
Cardamom has muscle-relaxing properties, and these can help relieve hiccups. All you need to do is add a teaspoon of cardamom powder to hot water. Let it steep for about 15 minutes. Strain and consume slowly.
13. Helps Treat Sore Throat
A mixture of cardamom, cinnamon, and black pepper can work wonders for treating a sore throat. While cardamom soothes the sore throat and reduces irritation, cinnamon offers antibacterial protection. And black pepper improves the bioavailability of the two ingredients. You can take 1 gram each of cardamom and cinnamon powders, 125 mg of black pepper, along with 1 teaspoon of honey. Mix all ingredients and lick the mixture thrice a day. Cardamom also has been found to reduce nausea and prevent vomiting. In one study, test subjects who were given cardamom powder showed less frequency and duration of nausea and less frequency of vomiting.
14. Prevents Blood Clots
According to the Central Food Technological Research Institute in India, cardamom contains several components that relieve blood clots. But yes, adequate research is lacking in this aspect.
What Are The Benefits For The Skin?
The skin benefits of cardamom can be attributed to its antibacterial and antioxidant properties. The spice helps treat skin allergies and improves skin complexion. It can also be used as a tool to cleanse the skin.
15. Improves Complexion
One of the benefits of cardamom is that it can give you fair skin. Cardamom essential oil helps in removing blemishes, thus giving you a fairer complexion. You can either buy skin care products containing cardamom or its essential oil. Or you can simply mix cardamom powder with honey and apply it as a face mask.
16. Improves Blood Circulation
Cardamom contains vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant. It improves blood circulation throughout the body. Also, the many layers of phytonutrients in the spice can improve blood circulation – which invariably enhances skin health.
17. Treats Skin Allergies
Cardamom, especially the black variety, has antibacterial properties. Applying a cardamom and honey mask (a mixture of cardamom powder and honey) to the affected area can give relief.
18. Imparts Fragrance
Cardamom is often used in cosmetics to impart fragrance. Due to its distinct spicy, sweet scent, both cardamom and cardamom oil are used in perfumes, soaps, body washes, powders, and other cosmetics. Oriental style perfumes and other scented products often use cardamom as an ingredient in addition to other essential oils.
19. Offers Therapeutic Benefits To The Skin
Cardamom can be used in skin care products for antiseptic and anti-inflammatory purposes to calm and soothe the skin, thanks to its therapeutic effects. When added to perfumes, it can stimulate the senses. Facial soaps use cardamom to impart a warming sensation to the skin.These cosmetics using cardamom for therapeutic reasons are known as aromatherapy products.
20. Works As A Great Masking Agent
The strong scent of cardamom can ward off unpleasant odors. This makes it a great addition to cosmetic products, such as toners, that serve a specific function but smell unappealing due to the inclusion of certain ingredients. Cardamom is added to these products to mask the unpleasant scent while retaining the benefit of the cosmetic.
21. Offers Lip Care
Cardamom essential oil is often added to cosmetics that are applied to the lips (such as lip balms) to impart the taste of the oil and make the lips smooth. You can simply apply the oil to your skin before you go to bed and wash it off in the morning.
22. Helps You Achieve Clear Skin
Black cardamom helps in flushing out the toxins that could otherwise harm your skin. Chewing some black cardamom detoxifies your body, thus providing you with clearer skin.
What About The Benefits For Hair?
Cardamom can contribute to improved hair growth and the treatment of certain scalp issues.
23. Nourishes Your Scalp
The antioxidant properties of cardamom, and especially the black type, nourish your scalp and improve its health. The spice also nourishes the hair follicles and enhances hair strength. You can wash your hair with cardamom water (mix the powder with water and use before shampoo) to achieve the desired results. The antibacterial properties of the spice even treat scalp infections, if any.
24. Improves Hair Health
This is a given. Improved scalp health most often means stronger and better-looking hair. The spice strengthens your hair roots and offers shine and luster to your hair. These were the benefits. A simple spice can transform your health, provided you take it on a regular basis. And now, we have an important question to address – what is the difference between cardamom and coriander? Firstly, why should we care about such a comparison?
Cardamom Vs. Coriander – What’s With The Comparison?
The two are spices with similar benefits (which is why we are interested in this comparison). Like, say, the two are used to treat high blood sugar, high blood pressure, and other digestive issues. Also, cardamom and coriander are two of the five digestive spices mentioned in Ayurveda. The other three are cumin, ginger, and fennel. But there are a few factors on which the two spices differ. Alright. Now that you are convinced cardamom has excellent benefits, how do you use the spice in cooking?
How To Use Cardamom In Cooking?
Cardamom is one of the most prized spices all over the world. It can be used in the whole as well as ground form in a variety of dishes ranging from curry powders, dals, and masalas to desserts and drinks. While cooking the seeds, they should be bruised with the back of a knife or ground with other spices before frying. Given below are the tips for the usage of cardamom as an ingredient.
Cut the lemons lengthwise into quarters, leaving the stem attached. Rub their flesh with some kosher salt and put one tablespoon of salt at the bottom of a glass jar. Place these lemon quarters in this jar alternating with salt, cardamom pods, and bay leaves. Pour in some juice that is enough to cover the lemons and cover tightly. Allow the mixture to stand for about 3 weeks, Keep shaking the jar daily to mix the salt. These preserved lemons can be refrigerated for up to 6 months covered with lemon juice.
All you need to do is put some rice in a bowl, adding enough water to cover it. Heat some oil in a saucepan over medium heat and add cinnamon sticks, cardamom pods, cloves, and cumin seeds. After cooking for about a minute, add some chopped onion. Sauté it until golden brown for about 10 minutes. Drain the water from the rice, and cook and stir the pot for a few minutes. Add salt and water. Simmer for about 15 minutes at low heat until all the water has been absorbed. Allow it to stand for 5 minutes and fluff with a fork before serving. It can be served with curry or dal (lentils).
That’s the different ways you can use cardamom in your cooking. But even before you do that, you need to first select and store the spice, right? How are you going to do that?
How To Select And Store Cardamom
Selection
Both ground and loose seeds of cardamom are available in the spice section of the supermarkets while whole pods are available in specialty stores.
When buying cardamom, always prefer the green one as it has a complex flavor that is suitable for both sweet and savory dishes. Moreover, whole cardamom pods should be chosen over ground ones. Look for small football-shaped pods having a green tint. They should smell like a combination of pine and flowers.
If ground cardamom is needed, it is advisable to grind the seeds from a whole pod with a mortar and pestle or spice grinder. However, ground cardamom loses its flavor rapidly while the whole spice stays potent for a year or even longer.
Cardamom is an expensive spice, and so, other spices are often added to ground cardamom to reduce the cost. The opening of the pods or the grinding of the seeds causes a quick loss of the flavor and aroma of the cardamom due to the rapid loss of the essential oils.
Storage
Proper storage of cardamom is of prime importance to retain its taste and aroma and extend its shelf life.
The best way is to store cardamom in the form of pods because once the seeds are exposed or ground, they lose their flavor and aroma rapidly.
Cardamom pods can last up to a year when stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
Dry cardamom capsules should be kept in moisture-proof containers away from direct sunlight.
For bulk storage on a long-term basis, the pods should be kept in polythene lined gunny bags inside wooden boxes. This will preserve the green color of the pods. Before placing the capsule in the gunny bags for storage, ensure that they are fully dry. Any moisture in the bag will cause them to rot. Moreover, they should be inspected regularly for signs of moisture or spoilage.
The storage room should be dark, dry, clean, cool, and free from pests. To protect the pods from pests and insects, mosquito nettings should be fitted on the windows. They should be kept away from strong smelling food, detergents, and paints as they will spoil the delicate aroma of cardamom.
Okay. Now you know how to pick the right kind of cardamom and store it properly. How about using the spice in some delectable recipes?
What Recipes Can You Use Cardamom In?
1. Cardamom Spiced Tea
1 teaspoon of ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon of ground cardamom 1/8 teaspoon each of ground cloves and black pepper 1 cinnamon stick 2 1/2 cups of water 2 black tea bags 2 1/2 cups of low-fat milk 2 tablespoons of honey 2 tablespoons of orange zest, for garnish
2. Cardamom Honey Chicken
4 tablespoons of honey 2 tablespoons of sherry 1 teaspoon each of ground cardamom seeds and ground peppercorn
1 whole chicken cut into parts 2 tablespoons of olive oil 1 thinly sliced lemon Salt and pepper
The recipes are great for sure. But the facts about cardamom give you an entirely new perspective about the spice.
Any Cool Facts About This Spice?
Cardamom was first introduced to Guatemala in 1914, and today, it is the largest producer of the spice. Cardamom, turmeric, and ginger belong to the same botanical family (Zingiberaceae). You don’t have to really discard the cardamom pods (the green covers). You can use them as they are. White cardamom is not a variety of cardamom, but just the green ones bleached.
Wondering where to buy this spice?
Where To Buy Cardamom?
Your nearest supermarket is the best place. Cardamom is wonderully nutritious. But it is important to know of its other side too – the not-so-appealing one.
Does Cardamom Have Any Side Effects?
Yes. side effects are there And here they are.
Issues With Pregnancy And Breastfeeding
Though taking cardamom in normal amounts is safe, taking the spice as a medicine might have some undesirable effects. Stay safe and consume it only in food amounts. Or avoid use altogether.
Gallstone Colic
If you have gallstones, avoid intake. Cardamom seed is known to trigger gallstone colic. What is a good substitute for black cardamom? As obvious it may sound, it is green cardamom. But the green variety lacks the smoky and hot flavor. What are the benefits of drinking boiled cardamom water? It would be most effective in calming nausea and vomiting. And, it offers the other benefits too. Gargling with the water can help ease a sore throat. Can we eat cardamom daily? Yes, you can consume cardamom daily in moderate amounts unless you are pregnant or otherwise instructed by your doctor. Does cardamom help you sleep? Cardamom extract has been shown to have a sedative effect on mice (8). This opens up the possibility that cardamom may aid sleep in humans as well. Is cardamom good for the thyroid? Yes, cardamom has antioxidant properties, which may help reduce the oxidative stress associated with thyroid treatments and lower the inflammation associated with thyroid dysfunction (17). Is it OK to chew cardamom pods? Yes, you can chew on cardamom pods. However, as the outer layering is fibrous, you may find the texture unappealing.
