Cardamom is a spice made from the seed pods of the cardamom plant, a close relative to ginger and turmeric, that is native to South India. The triangle-shaped pods are made up of spindle-shaped clusters of seeds with a thin outer shell that can be enjoyed both whole or ground.
Is cardamom a cinnamon?
Cardamom is a more expensive spice compared to cinnamon. It is richer in zinc, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, and vitamins C, B1, B6. Comparatively, cinnamon is richer in fibers, vitamins K, E, B2, B5, and A. They have antioxidative, antidiabetic, cardioprotective, anticarcinogenic properties.
What is special about cardamom?
Cardamom has a strong, unique taste, with an intensely aromatic, resinous fragrance. Black cardamom has a distinctly more smoky, though not bitter, aroma, with a coolness some consider similar to mint. Green cardamom is one of the most expensive spices by weight but little is needed to impart flavour.
What does cardamom come from?
Cardamom fruits may be collected from wild plants, native to the moist forests of southern India, but most cardamom is cultivated in India, Sri Lanka, and Guatemala. The fruits are picked or clipped from the stems just before maturity, cleansed, and dried in the sun or in a heated curing chamber.
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 are the side effects of eating 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.
Does cardamom lower blood pressure?
Thus, the present study demonstrates that small cardamom effectively reduces blood pressure, enhances fibrinolysis and improves antioxidant status, without significantly altering blood lipids and fibrinogen levels in stage 1 hypertensive individuals.
Who should not take cardamom?
6. Pregnancy. Pregnant women should avoid cardamom because it might stimulate the uterus, causing miscarriages or premature labor. Cardamom supplements also increase stomach acid levels and heartburn, which some pregnant women already experience without adding herbs that make these symptoms worse.
Is cardamom good for heart?
Cardamom also contains fiber, the nutrient that can help lower cholesterol levels and enhance heart health. Because of these properties, the spice also can lower blood pressure levels and this benefits the heart health as well.”
What are the two uses of cardamom?
Cardamom is used for digestion problems including heartburn, intestinal spasms, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), intestinal gas, constipation, liver and gallbladder complaints, and loss of appetite. It is also used for common cold, cough, bronchitis, sore mouth and throat, and tendency toward infection.
What happens if you eat cardamom everyday?
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.
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.
Can I grow cardamom at home?
If planting outdoors, plant your seeds ½ to 1 inch apart, about ⅛ inch deep in a partially shady place. They prefer rich humus soil that’s slightly acidic. Alternatively, you can plant cardamom seeds in a pot, so you can bring the plant indoors to overwinter. Cover with a mulch of straw or grass.
Is cardamom good in coffee?
Strong coffee flavored with cardamom is popular in Israel and other parts of the Middle East. One method for making it is to simply drop whole cardamom pods into small cups of thick, rich coffee, and the other is to actually brew the coffee and cardamom together as in this versatile recipe.
What foods go well with cardamom?
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.
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).
Is cardamom good for arthritis?
Cardamom Alleviates joint pain
Due to its anti-inflammatory properties, cardamom is highly efficient in alleviating muscle and joint pain.
Does cardamom cause insomnia?
9. Treats sleep trouble: Inhaling the sweet and soothing aroma of cardamom essential oil may help in treating sleep issues such as insomnia, restlessness, and anxiety.
Is cardamom good for kidneys?
Diuretic – Part of the reason cardamom is such a good detoxifier is thanks to the diuretic properties. It helps clean out the urinary tract, bladder, and kidneys, removing waste, salt, excess water, toxins, and combating infections too.
Is cardamom good for eyesight?
Is Cardamom good for eyesight? Yes, Cardamom is good for improving eyesight when it is taken with honey.
Does cardamom have caffeine?
Cardamom is a well-known spice that has long been a staple in Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine. It can also be used to brew up a delightfully spicy tea. When brewed by itself, it is naturally caffeine free and can be consumed at any time of the day.