Cardamom is a perennial herb in the ginger family (Zingiberaceae) that’s known for its pleasant aroma and taste. The spice comes from the dried fruits or seeds of the Elettaria cardamomum plant, and is often sold in whole pods, shelled seeds, or ground into a powder.
Here are some characteristics of cardamom:
-
PlantCardamom is a rhizomatous plant with aerial leafy shoots that can grow up to 2.6 meters tall. The leaves are glabrous on both sides and have a prominent mid-rib. The inflorescence is a condensed spike with yellowish perianth, and each spike has 10–15 fruits. The fruits are round or oval-shaped capsules that are reddish brown in color and contain many seeds.
-
Aroma and tasteCardamom seeds have a warm, slightly pungent, and highly aromatic flavor that’s somewhat reminiscent of camphor.
-
UsesCardamom is a prominent ingredient in Indian cuisine and has been used for centuries to flavor coffee, rice dishes, and pastries. The seeds and seed oil are also sometimes used in medicine, as cardamom contains chemicals that might help the immune system, reduce swelling, and kill some bacteria.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.