What you don't know about Cardamom

What are herbs and spices?

Ever find yourself with loads of spices in your spice rack but no idea how to use them?

Yeah...me too

Well firstly, let's understand, what herbs and spices are. We know that they are an essential ingredient for they add flavour, aroma, colour, texture, and even nutrients but what is the difference?

An intro to Cardamom

Now that we know the difference let's dive into today’s versatile spice… CARDAMOM.

Well, first of all, it's actually cardamom! Did you know that? Like it's spelt like that.

• Cardamom is strong, warm, spicy and yet sweet…with a hint of lemon and mint
• It is found as whole pods, seeds or ground.
• It is also the third most expensive spice in the world

NOW, there are two types of cardamom namely,

1. green cardamom.
2. black cardamom.

Green cardamom

1.GREEN CARDAMOM

Green cardamom is a very versatile spice! So, you can dabble with it in different dishes.

It is best used to complement sweet and savoury dishes. You may even notice it from Garam masala

You can use green cardamom in

• soups,
• beef dishes,
• pudding cakes,
• curries,
• eggnog,
• hot cider,
• pastries,
• cakes,
• bread,
• tea and coffee

Green cardamom whole pods can also be used when making your basmati rice

Green cardamom also works best with warm spices such as nutmeg, cinnamon, and cloves.

NOTE: There is white cardamom that is basically green cardamom that has bleached over time and lost a little bit of flavour.

All about green cardamom

Black Cardamom

2. BLACK CARDAMOM

Black cardamom is, obviously, characterized by its black colour.

It has a more smoky and earthy strong flavour.

It is, therefore, used in strongly flavoured dishes.

You can use it in

• soups,
• stews,
• meat rubs and marinades of strongly flavousred dishes.

To pair, it works well with; Basil, Lemongrass, Fennel, Garlic and Ginger.

You can use black cardamom in

• rice puddings,
• cakes,
• ginger fig chutney,
• payasam.

Black cardamom is also used in preparing garam masala which is used in many Indian dishes.

That’s it for today I hope all of you have learnt something new about Cardamom. Bet you never knew some of this.

All about black cardamom

© 2021 Becca Sunshine

Comments

Becca Sunshine (author) from Nairobi on July 23, 2021:

right? it really is a versatile spice

Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on July 22, 2021:

I love the flavor of cardamom, and especially in garam masala.