Herb. No. 107 · Zingiberaceae
Western Ghats understory ginger. The spice pods are a tropical farm crop, not a temperate garden.
Native · South Asia
Native Also grown
OpenGentleplant
Green cardamom
Elettaria cardamomum
The queen of spices — a tropical ginger whose green pods scent chai, coffee, and after-meal folklore.
Cardamom is a Western Ghats understory ginger. Most kitchens meet it as a dried pod, not a houseplant. Traditional Ayurvedic and Nordic use of the seed is as a carminative after coffee, meat, or sweets. Culinary amounts are gentle. The essential oil is concentrated cineole and is not a tea. Black cardamom (Amomum) is a smokier, different spice.
Flavor
Camphor, eucalyptus, lemon peel, a little sweetness. Crush the pod; whole it is shy.
Parts used
Ripe seed (inside the green pod)
In favor
- A true pantry medicine
- Pods keep if whole
Against
- Not a temperate garden crop
- Oil is not a beverage