Cardamom

2024 Author: Jasmine Walkman | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 08:29

Because of its female name, cardamom in South India received the nickname "Queen of Spices". Cardamom is an exotic spice, which finds great application in Eastern cuisine, as well as in the treatment of some health ailments. In recent decades, they have found good ground in Bulgarian cuisine. The taste of cardamom is a spicy spice with a strong aroma. It belongs to the ginger family (Zingiberaceae). The Latin name of cardamom is Elettaria cardamomum and therefore sometimes instead of cardamom this spice is written as cardamom.

Cardamom is a perennial plant that reaches a height between 1.80 and 3.60 meters. It forms green seed pods, which are dried, and the seeds are used in cooking whole or ground. The color of the seeds varies from greenish-brown, up to black and artificial white seeds. It is considered that the best quality and most expensive is green cardamom, and brown is considered to be of lower quality. White cardamom berries are revered as the most aesthetic. They are obtained after bleaching black cardamom.

History of cardamom

Cardamom is an ancient spice and was well known in India hundreds of years before the beginning of the new era. This specific spice originates from the tropical jungles of India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Sumatra. According to official data, it was first imported to Europe around 1200, but the truth is that cardamom appeared on the Old Continent with trade caravans from the East to Ancient Greece and Rome.

Even Hippocrates wrote in his writings about the nature of cardamom. He describes a plant that grew in southern India and reached ancient Greece and Rome through trade with the East. From the earliest stages of its spread, cardamom has been known for its various benefits to humans. In addition to being known as an aphrodisiac, it was also used in the perfume industry. The Middle Ages were banned by the church, which described it as too voluptuous for priests.

Today, cardamom is grown in Nepal, Thailand and Central America, with 60% of world cardamom production being exported to Arab countries - Southwest Asia and North Africa. Cardamom has a very strong, specific and unique taste, accompanied by a very strong aroma. It is good to store cardamom whole in the pods, because after grinding the seeds quickly lose their aroma.

Composition of cardamom

Cardamom contains large amounts of calcium, iron, zinc, magnesium and phosphorus. It contains vitamins B1, B2 and B3. Among its active components are camphor, nerolidol, linalool, bornyl citate.

Cooking with cardamom

Cardamom is quite expensive spice. It ranks second in price, only after the spice saffron, and some believe it is third, being overtaken by vanilla. On the other hand, a few cardamom berries are quite enough to flavor the whole dish. Cardamom is used in Indian cuisine and Asian cuisine whole or ground. Instead of grinding the beans, whole chopped pods are often used in cooking.

Ground cardamom is the main ingredient of curry. A trademark of the Middle East is to put cardamom in coffee, and in other countries such as Iran it is used in tea. It is a special honor in Bedouin culture to treat your guest to coffee with cardamom. In India, it is added as an ingredient in herbal teas called Yogi tea. The Indian state of Sikkim is the first in the country to grow and produce the spice.

Due to its strong taste and aroma, cardamom should be used in small quantities. In Scandinavian cuisine it is a favorite in the preparation of baked dishes. In Arabic cuisine, it is used to season both local sweets such as oriental halva and savory rice and meat dishes known as pilaf.

In India, cardamom is a must for curries and garam masala. Although cardamom is less well known in Europe, it is also widely used in Germany, where it is used to make sweets. The Scandinavian countries remain the largest European importers of cardamom. There, the eastern spice is used to season cakes, breads and baked pastries, as well as some types of sausages.

Benefits of cardamom

In addition to being a unique culinary spice, cardamom is also used as a medicine. According to the ancient Hindu teaching of Ayurveda, cardamom has the power to make human character kinder, as it manages to avoid conflicts and forgive offenses. Its use overcomes conflicts in the family and builds tolerance for unpleasant people.

Cardamom also removes obsessive thoughts about unnecessary purchases, according to the teachings of Ayurveda. According to Indian folk medicine, cardamom treats upset stomach, sore throat, migraine, and in combination with milk and honey - impotence. Just a pinch of cardamom in coffee and tea radically changes the drinks, as they become far more invigorating, toning, and ex post facto act as an aphrodisiac.

They are used in Bulgarian medicine cardamom in small quantities as an effective propellant. In Asia, it is widely used to treat infections in the oral cavity, throat problems, lung problems, stomach upsets and even eyelid inflammation. It is also used for kidney and gallstones, as well as an antidote for snake bites.

Cardamom tea

Cardamom is a spice used mostly in food. However, several Eastern cultures also use cardamom in teas. Cardamom has an extremely strong aroma that usually suppresses other spices. This strong aroma comes from the oils present in the seeds of the spice. The supposed health benefits of cardamom come from these oils. Why is cardamom tea so popular and what are its spices?

Improves digestion

According to the Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, herbalists are used cardamom as an aid to digestion for centuries. In addition, the University of Maryland Medical Center points to cardamom as a possible herbal remedy for treating parasites in the stomach. However, you should consult a doctor before using cardamom as an herbal treatment. Cardamom tea helps in the treatment of flatulence, heartburn, stomach pain, indigestion and cramps.

Detoxification

Toxicity in your body can occur as a result of what you consume and also as a result of the environment in which you live. Regular detoxification of your body can remove some of these toxins. According to the Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, cardamom tea can help your body get rid of waste. This waste can interfere with the proper function of your body. By eliminating this waste, cardamom tea can benefit the circulatory and digestive systems, and help the kidneys and liver.

Facilitates the secretion

According to an encyclopedia of herbal medicine, drinking warm cardamom tea will release camphor oil and help release secretions such as sputum and mucus.

Other benefits of cardamom tea

Cardamom has several additional benefits. The fragrant property of cardamom can also help relieve the symptoms of halitosis, not only in the mouth but also in the stomach. Women can also use cardamom as a mild pain reliever to alleviate the symptoms associated with PMS.

Cardamom oil

Cardamom is widely used and is famous as a universal spice around the world. Let's talk about the ingredients of its essential oils and its impressive health benefits.

The health benefits of cardamom essential oil are listed below.

Relieves spasms

Cardamom oil is highly effective for the treatment of muscle and respiratory spasms, thus relieving muscle cramps and spasms, asthma and whooping cough.

Prevents microbial infections

According to a 2018 study published in the journal Molecule, cardamom essential oil has very strong antiseptic and antimicrobial properties that are also safe. If used as a mouthwash by adding a few drops of this oil to water, it disinfects the oral cavity of all germs and eliminates bad breath. It can also be added to drinking water to kill the germs it contains. It can also be used in food as a flavoring agent, which will also protect them from spoilage due to microbial action. A soft solution in water can be used to bathe while disinfecting the skin and hair.

Improves digestion

It is the essential oil in cardamom that makes it such a good digestive aid. This oil enhances digestion by stimulating the entire digestive system. It keeps the stomach healthy and functioning properly. Helps maintain proper secretion of gastric juices, acids and bile in the stomach. It also protects the stomach from infections.

Boosts metabolism

Cardamom essential oil stimulates your entire system. This stimulating effect also raises your mood in cases of depression or fatigue. It also stimulates the secretion of various enzymes and hormones, gastric juices, peristaltic movement, circulation, thus maintaining the proper metabolic action in the body.