Cardamom is a member of the ginger family. This aromatic spice is native to India and grows in many other tropical areas including Asia, South America and the Pacific Islands. Cardamom seeds are encapsulated in small pods about the size of a cranberry. Each pod contains 17 to 20 tiny seeds. Cardamom has a pungent aroma and a warm, spicy-sweet flavor. It’s widely used in Scandinavian and East Indian cooking. Cardamom can be purchased either in the pod or ground. The latter, though more convenient, is not as full-flavored because cardamom seeds begin to lose their essential oils as soon as they’re ground. The seeds may be removed from the pods and ground, or the entire pod may be ground. Source: Food Lover’s Companion; Sharon Tyler Herbst & Ron Herbst; 2009.Â
Cardamom Pods
