What is the Difference Between Nutmeg and Cardamom? The nutmeg comes from an evergreen tree while cardamom comes from an herb. With nutmeg, the fruit is harvested from the tree and the seed is extracted. The seed is often covered in a reddish lacy covering.
Can I substitute cardamom for nutmeg?
Cardamom has a very distinct flavor, so it can be tricky to use it as a substitute—but if your recipe only calls for a small amount of nutmeg, then a little cardamom could work in a pinch. If making eggnog, try dusting ground cardamom over the top for a unique twist.
What spice is closest to cardamom?
Both cinnamon and nutmeg are each widely recommended as cardamom substitutes. Cinnamon is the most popular of the two for use as a standalone cardamom replacement; however, nutmeg is still a popular and relatively inexpensive alternative.
What’s another name for cardamom?
Cardamom (/ˈkɑːrdəməm/), sometimes cardamon or cardamum, is a spice made from the seeds of several plants in the genera Elettaria and Amomum in the family Zingiberaceae.
| Cardamom | |
|---|---|
| True cardamom (E. cardamomum) | |
| Processed Elettaria cardamom pods | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
What does cardamom taste like?
The green pods, elettaria cardamomum, also known as “true cardamom,” have the characteristics most recognized as cardamom flavor: an herbal warmth like a fragrant cross between eucalyptus, mint, and pepper—more citrusy than fennel and sweeter than cumin.
What spice is closest to nutmeg?
Mace
Mace is the closest spice to nutmeg because they’re sort of one and the same; “mace” is the term for the ground-up powder of nutmeg’s hard, outer seed coating.
What is a good substitute for nutmeg?
8 Great Substitutes for Nutmeg
- Mace. Mace is the best option if you’re looking for a replacement for nutmeg, as both spices come from the Myristica fragrans tree.
- Garam masala.
- Allspice.
- Cinnamon.
- Pumpkin pie spice.
- Apple pie spice.
- Ginger.
- Cloves.
What can you substitute for cardamom in a recipe?
Best cardamom substitute
- Cinnamon + allspice. The best cardamom substitute? Mix equal parts cinnamon and allspice.
- Cinnamon + nutmeg. Another good cardamom substitute? Cinnamon and nutmeg.
- Cinnamon + ginger. Another cardamom substitute? Cinnamon and ginger.
What do you use cardamom spice for?
Cardamom pairs well with poultry, red meat, lentils, oranges, rice and other warm spices, like nutmeg and cinnamon. It’s ideal in curries, teas, baked goods (like this gorgeous bread) and sausages.
What is cardamom spice good for?
It may lower blood pressure, improve breathing and aid weight loss. What’s more, animal and test-tube studies show that cardamom may help fight tumors, improve anxiety, fight bacteria and protect your liver, though the evidence in these cases is less strong.
What kind of spice is cardamom?
Cardamom is a pod spice in the ginger family that is commonly used in Indian cuisine. Although this spice originated in southern India, today Guatemala is the largest producer of cardamom. The spice can be found as a whole pod, shelled whole seeds, or ground powder.
What are the side effects of cardamom?
There are no reported risks of using cardamom in cooking or any known adverse side effects. Using cardamom as a spice and flavor agent is safe for most people.
Where can I buy cardamom spice?
You can find green cardamom sold as ground cardamom and whole cardamom pods in the spice section of the grocery store. Black cardamom is best found at an international specialty grocer, and you will find green cardamom there generally at a much better price than the usual supermarket.
Should you eat cardamom pods?
It’s perfectly okay to eat cardamom pods. You can chew the seeds, but the pod itself is quite fibrous so it can be hard to chew. Apart from that, there are no drawbacks of eating cardamom pods, and you can add them to dishes as an infusion.
Do cinnamon and cardamom go together?
Cinnamon and cardamom are such good flavor friends that they’re often paired together in recipes from savory (like curry) to sweet (like apple pie).
What flavors go well with cardamom?
The acidic notes of citrus fruits like oranges and lemons really help to elevate the flavor profile of cardamom and stand up well to its pungent flavor. Try adding cardamom to your next citrus pudding, or for a quick alcohol-free cocktail, try a cardamom lemonade!
What taste is nutmeg?
What Does Nutmeg Taste Like? A popular spice available in both ground and whole form, nutmeg is known for its warm, nutty flavor, making it the perfect addition to comforting sweet and savory dishes. Once ground, nutmeg spice takes on a warm and aromatic flavor with notes of clove.
Is nutmeg in allspice?
Nutmeg is a nutty, pungent, slightly spicy and sweet condiment while allspice is a single spice resembling a mixture of cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and pepper. Where nutmeg has a simpler flavor profile, allspice covers many spices and is a great all-round spice to have.
What do you use nutmeg for?
How to Use Nutmeg
- Add it to coffee, hot chocolate, tea, or warm milk.
- Use it to season vegetables such as cauliflower and sweet potato.
- Sprinkle over oatmeal or other breakfast cereals.
- Sprinkle over fruit for an added kick.
- Bake with it.
- Add to seasonal beverages such as eggnog, mulled cider, and mulled wine.
Can you leave nutmeg out of a recipe?
If you’re making a dish that calls for many different spices—such as nutmeg and cinnamon and cloves—you can probably leave nutmeg out entirely without substituting it for something else. However, if it’s the only spice in the recipe, it’s best to substitute nutmeg with another spice to avoid a bland-tasting dish.
Does nutmeg taste like cinnamon?
Nutmeg is a top substitute for cinnamon because of its pleasing taste and versatility. It has a warming, slightly nutty flavor and is sometimes combined with cinnamon in recipes, like in pumpkin pie.