By Steve and Jeanne Wolfe
from White Dove Farm
What is cardamom? “Cardamom, sometimes Cardamon or Cardamum, is a spice made from the seeds of several plants in the genera Elettaria and Amomum in the family Zingiberaceae. Both genera are native to India, Bhutan, Indonesia, and Nepal.” Bhutan is located in South Asia bordering China and India. Cardamom is also native to N. Africa and the Middle East. The pods can also be used whole or ground. It has a sweetly aromatic fruit related to ginger. It is also the third most expensive spice after saffron and vanilla.
The health benefits of cardamom include gastrointestinal protection, cholesterol control, control of cancer, relief from cardiovascular issues, and improvement of blood circulation. Cardamom possesses aphrodisiac properties and also used for impotency. Ayurvedic medicine contacts: www.webmd.com/balance/guide/ayurvedic-treatments. We do not advocate any opinion. Cardamom is also used for pleasant breath like in chewing gum.
Cardamom is used widely in Scandinavian and German cooking. It is popular in their breads, cakes, and desserts. This recipe for masala chai (tea) enclosed is popular and very tasty. Jeanne and I came across this delectable drink at a restaurant near Orlando, FL, it was served in a lovely china cup, nice and hot, about ten years ago. This can be made from scratch by grinding and grating the ingredients or the simple modified way. We make it for two people.
Masala Tea
1. Bring two cups of water to a boil.
2. One ginger tea bag and one black tea bag
3. ½ tsp. Ground Cardamom
4. Pinch of black pepper
5. One cinnamon stick
6. Add milk of your choice about ½ cup.
7. Add sweetener of your choice. Lower heat to a simmer for 2 – 5 minutes.
Voila, enjoy! Check this out—https://www.klgspice.com.
Growing Conditions: Known as the Queen of spices. The leaves are long and lance-shaped, and the flowers arise from the base of the plant. The flowers are white with purple veining. They produce three-sided green cardamom pods that are filled with small aromatic seeds. It usually takes two years before it starts fruiting.
The plant prefers a rich, moist, loamy, and slightly acidic soil. Amend the soil with the minerals phosphorus and potassium. Bury the seed in shallow soil. This is a subtropical and tropical plant USDA zones 10 – 13.
We hope that you enjoyed reading our research on cardamom and will try the tea recipe we shared. Share your knowledge with us and any recipes you might have in your possession with cardamom. Email us at whtdovefarm@yahoo.com.