Cardamom

Elettaria cardamomum

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The name cardamom is used for species within three genera in the Ginger family

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(Zingiberaceae), Elettaria, Amomum and Aframomum. Elettaria is

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distributed from India to W. Malaysia (commonly called Green cardamom or just cardamom), Amomum mainly in Asia and Australia (Cardamom, Kravan, Java cardamom, Bengal cardamom, Siamese cardamom, White/Green/Red/Black cardamom, Guinea grains, Grains of paradise) and Aframomum in Africa and Madagascar (Cardamom, Madagascar cardamom).

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The main uses for all the different cardamom species and varieties are as spices and as medicines (see below).

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'True' cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is a pungent aromatic spice and medicinal herb. It is a perennial plant that can grow to be between six and 12 feet tall. Cardamom can also be spelt cardamon, and in India it is popularly known as elaichi. Other names are Green cardamom and Small cardamom; however, these are generally used for trade names.

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The green seed pods of the plant are dried and the seeds inside the pod are used in Indian and Asian cuisine either whole or in a ground form. Ground cardamom is a primary ingredient of curry powder. In the Middle East, cardamom is used for coffee; in other countries such as Iran, it is used to flavor tea. Cardamom is also an ingredient of herbal teas from India, called "Yogi tea". The Indian state of Sikkim has the highest area under cultivation and production of the spice in India.

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Cardamom was first used around 700 CE and was imported to Europe for the first time in around 1200. Originally from the tropical rainforest of India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Sumatra, it is now also grown in Nepal, Thailand, and Central America.

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Cardamom has a strong, unique taste, with an intensely aromatic fragrance. It is often used in baking in Scandinavia. One of the most expensive spices by weight, little is needed to impart the flavor. Cardamom is best stored in pod form, as once ground, the seeds quickly lose their flavor.

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Perennial plant: A perennial plant or perennial (Latin per, "through", annus, "year") is a plant that lives for more than two years. Herbaceous perennials are plants that do not form woody tissue and the term perennial more commonly describes these plants, since woody plants (i.e., trees and shrubs) are always peren...

India: The Republic of India is a country in South Asia which comprises most of the Indian subcontinent. India has a coastline which stretches over seven thousand kilometres, and shares its borders with Pakistan to the west, the People's Republic of China, Nepal, and Bhutan to the northeast, and Bangladesh...

Indian: Indian or Indians can refer to:...

Cardamom related Images and Photos (experimental)

White Chocolate Pudding with Saffron & Cardamom