Cardamom: flavor and uses of this spice

Typical of Indian cuisine, cardamom is a spice that has found its natural place on Italian tables for a long time, thanks to its flavor and the beneficial properties that can be attributed to the pods of this plant.

Cardamom fruits are green or brown in colour, inside which it is possible to find black seeds which, in turn, are reduced to powder for use in cooking, or for infusions. But what is the flavor of cardamom? And what are the benefits of the cardamom plant?

Let’s try to find out together, in this in-depth analysis that we wanted to dedicate to this spice.

Cardamom aromatic flavor ideal for use in cooking

The flavor of cardamom is easily recognisable, although a lot depends on the type of cardamom you choose to use in the culinary field.

In particular, green cardamom is particularly valuable, and is distinguishable by a rather intense, almost balsamic flavour. Brown cardamom has earthy and woody notes, with a smoky undertone. On the other hand, black cardamom is more delicate and, for this very reason, it is often preferred among the powdered cardamom that can be purchased on the market due to its easy integration with many dishes. Then there is also a white type of cardamom which, however, is certainly the least valuable and, for this very reason, least used in the kitchen.

How to use cardamom

Thanks to its properties and its excellent flavour, cardamom can be used in the kitchen in many ways, to flavor both savory and sweet dishes.

Its flavour, generally pungent but balanced, can also enhance various drinks, such as chocolate or coffee. The spice is also among the most traditional ingredients of curry.

Given the above, if you have never had the opportunity to use this spice in your cooking and would like to positively experiment with cardamom powder in your dishes, we recommend using it on rice, with a generous sprinkling or less, depending on what the your tastes. You can also use it on desserts (like cakes) or in drinks like tea or coffee.

What are the properties of cardamom

Cardamom is attributed with numerous beneficial properties for our body. Among those that have been proven by studies, we particularly highlight the digestive and anti-inflammatory ones. Simply chew a few cardamom pods after meals to stimulate your metabolism.

Furthermore, cardamom is rich in vitamin C and mineral salts such as magnesium, potassium and manganese. It facilitates gastrointestinal regularity and, thanks to the essential oils it is rich in, it can reduce abdominal swelling, helping our body to better assimilate nutrients.

Among the other lesser-known advantages of cardamom we also find its role as a remedy against bad breath: it is sufficient to chew the whole berry, with the seeds inside, to counteract bad breath.

Furthermore, it is well known that cardamom is useful for protecting the airways against the risks of inflammation, coughs and colds. It is also useful for those who want a helping hand to lose weight, given that – as we already mentioned a few lines ago – it can speed up our metabolism, therefore burning more calories.

Conclusions

In short, cardamom can actually represent a useful spice for enriching your recipes with new flavors and, at the same time, for giving your body various distinctive benefits. Just be careful not to use it in excessive quantities if you suffer from gallstones, as it could be a risk factor in causing new colic.

Did you like this article? Try checking out our insights into the origins of spiced tea in India and how to make a chai milkshake.