A Little History
Cardamom is a spice that is native to India, Pakistatan, Burma, Sri Lanka, Asia, Guatemala and El Salvador. It is one of the most expensive spices in the world due to its harvesting practices. Cardamom is harvested by hand just before it is ripe. Harvesting can take months as the pods ripen at different times. Cardamom is common in Indian, Turkish, Arabic, Persian as well as Scandinavian cuisine.
Types of Cardamom
There are three types of cardamom, green (true cardamom), black and white. White cardamom is bleached green cardamom therefore it is best to purchase green or black. Green cardamom is known as true cardamom and has more of a sweet flavor. Black cardamom is larger with a more savory flavor. Cardamom is sold as pods or ground. Green cardamom is the most common form found at your local supermarket. Black cardamom is typically found at speciality grocery stores.
Flavor
The flavor of Cardamom has been described as slightly sweet, minty, spicy and citrusy. It is great paired with both sweet and savory foods such as meats, fruits, grains, legumes and baked goods. Green cardamom is usually favored for sweet dishes and black cardamom is favored for more savory dishes.
Health Benefits
The seeds, oils as well as extracts from cardamom have been studied and has been found to have antioxidant, antimicrobial and diuretic properties. These properties result in numerous health benefits. Cardamom has been shown to:
- Lower blood pressure
- Fight Cancer
- Fight inflammation
- Aid Digestion
- Heals ulcers
- Prevent ulcer development
- Prevent cavities
- Treat bad breath
- Decreases Cholesterol
- Decrease Triglycerides
- Decrease Insulin Resistance:
How to Add Cardamom to Your Diet
- Sprinkle over your morning oats
- Mix into your coffee
- Steep for a tea
- Mix into veggies such as carrots, parsnips, sweet potatoes and pumpkin for great flavor
- Add to soups, stews and curries
- Use in a marinade for chicken or fish
- Make your own spice blend by combining cardamom with other herbs and spices such as ginger, cinnamon, turmeric, allspice. nutmeg, coriander or lemongrass.
Tips for Cooking with Cardamom
- For enhanced flavor, heat the pods in a non stick pan for 2-3 minutes.
- Pods are best used in stews, soups and other slow cooked dishes. Prior to adding pods into a stew or curry burst the pod open to enhance flavor.
- Grind your own cardamom. First, heat the pods in a hot dry skillet for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool. Remove the seeds and grind using a pestle and mortar.
- When adding to your recipes add in small amounts as a little goes a long way.
Get started with cardamom today by trying my recipes that use Cardamom!
This article is for information purposes only and is not medical advice. Consult with your medical provider prior to any lab testing, diet changes or new supplement/medication
Do you live in TX, CA, GA, NC or OH? Looking to improve your health through culinary medicine? Message me for information about my consultation services @neversayneverwellness@gmail.com
References:
Souissi M, Azelmat J, Chaieb K, Grenier D. Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) extracts: Potential therapeutic benefits for periodontal infections. Anaerobe. 2020 Feb;61:102089. doi: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2019.102089. Epub 2019 Aug 17. PMID: 31430531.
Ashokkumar K, Murugan M, Dhanya MK, Warkentin TD. Botany, traditional uses, phytochemistry and biological activities of cardamom [Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton] – A critical review. J Ethnopharmacol. 2020 Jan 10;246:112244. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2019.112244. Epub 2019 Sep 18. PMID: 31541721.
Kazemi S, Yaghooblou F, Siassi F, Rahimi Foroushani A, Ghavipour M, Koohdani F, Sotoudeh G. Cardamom supplementation improves inflammatory and oxidative stress biomarkers in hyperlipidemic, overweight, and obese pre-diabetic women: a randomized double-blind clinical trial. J Sci Food Agric. 2017 Dec;97(15):5296-5301. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.8414. Epub 2017 Jul 17. PMID: 28480505.
Natural Medicine Database. Cardamom. Accessed April 2021.
Streit, L. 10 Health Benefits of Cardamom Backed by Science. Accessed April 2021. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/cardamom-benefits
Berry, J. October 2019. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326532#antimicrobial-ability. Accessed April 2021