Cardamom: what is it, what is it for and how to use

Cardamom is an aromatic plant of the same family as ginger and is widely used as a condiment in Indian cuisine, to season rice and meats, however it can also be consumed with coffee or as tea, as well as being used to prepare desserts.

The scientific name of cardamom is Elletaria cardamomum, and is a plant rich in vitamins and minerals that provide various health benefits, such as improving digestion, reduce bad breath and could exert aphrodisiac action. Cardomomum can be found in powder form or as a berry containing small seeds inside. 

Cardamom: what is it, what is it for and how to use

What it is used for

Cardamom is rich in vitamins A, B and C, sodium, potassium, iron, calcium and magnesium, besides being a source of carbohydrates and proteins. In addition, it has antioxidant, analgesic, antiseptic, digestive and expectorant properties, with several health benefits, such as:

  • Combat bad breath, for having antiseptic action;
  • Promote the feeling of satiety for being rich in fiber, so it could promote weight loss;
  • Help improve bowel function, combating constipation, due to the amount of fiber;
  • Improve digestion and combat gas, being rich in essential oils, such as limonene;
  • Help relieve symptoms related to gastritis, in addition to having antiseptic properties;
  • Combat nausea and vomiting;
  • Decongest and combat flus and colds, by having expectorant action.

    • Although cardamom has several health benefits, for it to provide them it is important that the person has a healthy and balanced diet, in addition to regular physical activity.

    How to use cardamom

    Cardamom is a very versatile spice, which can be used in sweet and savory recipes, as a substitute for sautéed garlic in rice or to be added to puddings and jams. It can also be used to spice up homemade bread, add to meat in sauces, sweets, fruit salads, ice cream and liqueurs, for example.

    The best way to take advantage of cardamom is to open the pods at the time of use, remove the grains and grind or crush them. Inside each pod there are between 10 and 20 seeds.

    Coffee with cardamom

    Ingredients: 

  • 1 teaspoon of freshly ground coffee as fine as talcum powder;
  • 1 pinch of cardamom;
  • 180 ml of cold water.

    • How to prepare:

    Place the ground coffee, cardamom and water in a pot and bring to a boil. Remove the pot from the heat and let the coffee settle, then reheat and bring to a boil again, repeating this process for 2 more times. At the end of the 3rd time, remove the foam that formed on top of the coffee. Then place it in a cup and drink it while it is hot.

    Cardamom tea

  • Tea against gases: Add 20 g of cardamom in a cup of boiling water, drink after meals.
  • Tea against intestinal colic: Add 10 g of seeds in 1 liter of water. Strain and drink warm.

    • Cardamom is from the Zingiberaceae family, a plant of about 1 and 1.50 meter high, with large leaves, white flowers and green fruits, being native to India.

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