The main difference between cardamom seeds and pods is the shape and texture. Since they come from the same plant, the flavor is relatively the same. Cardamom pods are trigonal, whereas the seeds are black and small. Whole pods have clumps of hard, crunchy seeds inside them that can be separated and crushed.
Which is better cardamom seeds or pods?
It’s recommended to buy pods if you’ll be using this spice for an extended period of time. Ground cardamom needs to be used immediately as flavor dissipates after grinding. Both forms of cardamom can be used in the same recipe, but the method of preparation will differ.
Do you grind cardamom pods or seeds?
Although it can be tempting to pick up cardamom seeds or even ground cardamom for ease, you can never beat the flavor extracted from freshly ground whole cardamom. To grind your own, simply crack open the cardamom pods using a pestle or a garlic press, and then rub the seeds in a pestle and mortar.
How many cardamom seeds are in a pod?
As a rough guideline, there are about a dozen seeds per pod, and 10 pods will produce about 11/2 teaspoons of ground cardamom.
Can I substitute cardamom for cardamom pods?
The cardamom pods contain tiny, spicy sweet seeds that you need to remove from the pods and crush before using in a recipe. In place of 5 cardamom pods (with the seeds removed and crushed), you can use 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom.
Can you replace cardamom pods with seeds?
Can You Substitute Cardamom Seeds for Pods? Ultimately, you can swap cardamom pods with seeds and vice versa, but with a catch. This spice is popular in Europe, used in loaves of bread, fried in ghee, meat, and vegetable dishes. Cardamom is found in garam masala spice mixture as well.
Which type of cardamom is best?
Green cardamom
Green elaichi is one of the best types of elaichi. The Cardamom Green is native to southern India and Sri Lanka but is now also cultivated in countries like Thailand, Nepal and Central America.
Can you bake with whole cardamom seeds?
If your recipe calls for whole pods, lightly toast them in a pan over medium heat until they’re aromatic, and remember to take them out before serving. Other recipes will call for the seeds—break open the pods and grind them up yourself for the best flavor.
Can you chew cardamom seeds?
You can chew cardamom seeds or whole cardamoms after meals as a mouth freshener. Many people also add cardamom while boiling rice or milk for adding flavour. Or else, add a crushed clove to your daily cuppa for your daily dose of good health.
Should you crack cardamom pods?
Cardamom seeds are tiny and very light; give them a gentle scrape out of their shell so that they don’t fly all over your kitchen counter or table. Each pod should contain between 17 and 20 little seeds. Given the strength of the essential oil in cardamom seeds, you may not need to break open many pods.
Are cardamom seeds inside the pods?
Cardamom pods are spindle-shaped and have a triangular cross-section. The pods contain a number of seeds, but the entire cardamom pod can be used whole or ground. The seeds are small and black, while the pods differ in color and size by species.
What can I use if I don’t have cardamom pods?
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 are cardamom seeds good for?
Cardamom is an herb. The seeds are used to make medicine. 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.
What spice is closest to cardamom?
Nutmeg, cinnamon, coriander seeds, and allspice are all similar in flavor to cardamom. You can also mix cinnamon and cloves together to best recreate the flavor of cardamom.
Does ground cardamom include pod?
Sometimes, a recipe may call for a whole crushed cardamom pod to be added during cooking, and discarded afterwards, much as you would do with bay leaves. The pods contain hard, black seeds that are usually dried and ground to make a powder. These seeds contain the essential oils that give the spice its distinct flavor.
How many cardamom seeds make a teaspoon?
(Note: Twelve cardamom pods will yield about 1 teaspoon of whole or coarsely ground seeds or ¾ teaspoon of finely ground seeds.)
What is the difference between cardamom and cardamon?
cardamom, also spelled cardamon, spice consisting of whole or ground dried fruits, or seeds, of Elettaria cardamomum, a herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family (Zingiberaceae). The seeds have a warm, slightly pungent, and highly aromatic flavour somewhat reminiscent of camphor.
What is the difference between cardamom pods and ground cardamom?
As mentioned, ground cardamom comes from grinding green cardamom seeds. Ground cardamom is usually called for when the spice is added to batters and baked goods, while it’s more common to see whole cardamom pods when the purpose is to infuse flavor by steeping the pods in liquid or sauteing in oil.
Does cardamom increase blood sugar?
When taken in powder form, cardamom may lower blood sugar.
What are the side effects of cardamom?
The caffeine in cardamom may also become problematic if you eat too much of the spice and are sensitive to caffeine. Possible side effects of consuming large amounts of cardamom include headaches, dizziness, insomnia, and vomiting.
Do you remove cardamom pods after cooking?
A simple but effective idea: remember the number of whole spices you use and remove them. If you use 5 whole cardamom pods, then make sure to remove 5 pods at the end.