Cardamom is an exquisite classic oriental spice native to India and Sri Lanka. In ancient times, the fruit of cardamom was called the grain of paradise. Grains were considered an expensive treat that only rich people could afford. And today, cardamom is one of the three most expensive spices in the world after saffron and vanilla. In this case, we are not talking about ground spice, but about high-quality cardamom fruits in seed pods. The spice has a spicy taste due to notes of eucalyptus and camphor, combining something from white pepper, something from ginger, and something from nutmeg. Cardamom, according to ancient legend, was grown in the Babylonian Hanging Gardens of Babylon. This tropical plant of the Ginger family began to spread in ancient India. Until now, India is one of the largest exporting countries of spices along with Guatemala.
In the Middle Ages, the spice was used as a medicine, but it always remained in the category of elite and expensive spices. It was only in the 19th century that the spice began to be cultivated for culinary and medicinal purposes. Today, cardamom is the subject of study by doctors, culinary specialists, aromatherapists, perfumers and nutritionists because of its amazing ability to maintain the body’s defenses, awaken not only appetite, but also sensuality.
Characterization
Cardamom belongs to the herbaceous plants of the species Eletaria cardamomum. It grows wild in the forested area of southern India. The spice ranks second in the Indian market in terms of sales, second only to black pepper. Malabar cardamom with small fruits and Mysore cardamom with larger fruits are highly valued in the world. Researchers believe that Arab merchants introduced the ancient Greeks and Romans to this “queen of spices.” Even in the writings of Dioscorides and Pliny, there are references to this spice as an expensive and delicate spice with tremendous healing power.
The fruits of the spice are boxes with three compartments, which are harvested barely ripe. They are dried in the sun, ground, and used for healing and cooking. Green boxes are popular in India, and specially bleached boxes are popular in northern Europe, where bright spices are unpopular. The grains are bleached with sulphurous anhydride, which gives the spice a sweetish note and dampens its pungency. It should be noted that Scandinavians prefer the spice in Europe. In these cold climates, cardamom is added to sausages, meat and fish dishes, fish marinades, liqueurs, hot glug and punch. .… Natural green seeds of the plant are very popular in eastern countries, where they are used for preparing various dishes. “Black cardamom” from the Ginger family (a tree of the genus Atotit) is a brown box with black seeds. Their size is 2-5 cm. Fruits grow in Nepal, North Vietnam and China. In India, black spice is added to simple spicy dishes, considering only green cardamom to be a great heritage of ancient cuisine.
The plant can be grown from seed, but the best propagation is by the shoots of rhizomes. It begins to bear fruit in the third year of life. Approximately up to 100 kilograms of fruit are obtained from one hectare. The crop can be harvested for about 10 years. The plant does not tolerate winter temperatures below zero. It can be grown in greenhouses, conservatories or homes.
Chemical composition and nutritional value
Plant seeds contain 3-8% essential oil containing fatty oil, cineole, protein, terpineol and terpinyl acetate farmer-online.com… Also, the seeds contain dietary fiber, vitamins, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, iron, manganese and zinc. The energy value of the spice is 311 kcal per 100 grams.
Nutritional value per 100 grams (estimated) farmer-online.com
Nutrient
Quantity
Average rate per day for an adult
Caloric content 331 kcal 1684 kcal Proteins 10,8 g 76 g Fats 6,7 g 60 g Carbohydrates 40,5 g 211 g Dietary fiber 28 g 20 g Water 8,3 g 2400 g Ash 5,8 g – Vitamin B1 0,2 mg 1,5 , 2 mg Vitamin B0,18 1,8 mg 6 mg Vitamin B0,23 2 mg 21 mg Vitamin C 90 mg 1,1 mg Vitamin PP 20 mg 1120 mg Potassium 2500 mg 380 mg Calcium 1000 mg 230 mg Magnesium 400 mg 18 mg Sodium 1300 mg 180 mg Phosphorus 800 mg 14 mg Iron 18 mg 28 mg Manganese 2 mg 383 mg Copper 1000 μg 7,5 μg Zinc 12 mg 3 mg Omega-0,12 0,9 g 3,7-6 g Omega-0,31 4,7 g 16,8-XNUMX g
Useful Properties
Most of the spices of oriental origin, including cardamom, have been used by oriental healers since ancient times to treat various diseases. ..… The seeds of this plant have always been known for their medicinal and aromatic properties. Today it is known and scientifically proven that the substances contained in the spice are able to stimulate appetite, restore a favorable microflora in the body and improve digestive processes. ...
In modern medicine, the spice is used to lower body temperature as an antiseptic for bronchitis, pneumonia and laryngitis. ..
Spices contain vitamins:
- B1, which is part of the enzymes of carbohydrate and energy metabolism for the proper functioning of the nervous, digestive and cardiovascular systems;
- B6, which is involved in the system of inhibition and excitation of the central nervous system, in the metabolism and conversion of amino acids to stimulate appetite, ensures normal skin condition and prevents anemia;
- A that acts as an antioxidant 1;
- C, which is involved in redox processes, iron absorption and the functioning of the immune system ...
Spice grains have a tonic effect. In the ancient Ayurvedic literature, it is said that cardamom gives a sense of calm and serenity, gives clarity and activity of the mind. ...
The essential oil of the seeds is useful for stomach cramps and vomiting. A tea made from ground cardamom, ginger and cloves helps eliminate indigestion and stimulates the intestines. It is also useful to use it before the onset of “women’s days” to relieve pain and discomfort. In addition, the spice essential oil relieves headaches, apathy, depression and fears. A drink made from a mixture of cardamom, cumin and coriander will help relieve the feeling of heaviness in the body. It helps with coughs, asthma and bronchitis.
Cardamom stimulates the body’s metabolism, the production of gastric juice and removes toxic substances and toxins. The spice helps with constipation well (used in complex treatment). The grains of the plant perfectly freshen the breath and eliminate inflammation in the mouth. ..… The spice is good for insomnia.
Cardamom has a stimulating effect. It was used in the ancient art of love as an aphrodisiac. The smell of grains attracts partners to each other and increases sexual desire.
The spice has powerful antioxidant properties and prevents aging of the body ..… Also, the spice breaks down fats and promotes weight loss. ...
In general, the main therapeutic goals in which cardamom can be used are as follows:
- antiseptic for colds, viral infections ..;
- expectorant when coughing;
- diuretic;
- with high blood cholesterol ..;
- with flatulence;
- with vomiting and nausea;
- for insomnia and depression;
- in case of heart rhythm failure;
- with fatigue and low blood pressure;
- with disturbed menstrual cycle;
- with intestinal disorders.
Contraindications and side effects
The spice is contraindicated for people suffering from acute gastritis and gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer. It is also not recommended to use the spice for pregnant women, nursing mothers and children under 12 years old.
Cardamom can cause an allergic reaction, therefore, before taking it for food, it is necessary to check whether it will cause an individual intolerance.
Excessive consumption of spices can lead to diarrhea and dehydration.
Selection rules and storage conditions
When buying, you need to choose cardamom beans in boxes ..… The ground spice quickly loses its essential oils. If necessary, it is best to grind the correct amount of beans in a grinder. Natural cardamom should have a pleasant light green color.
It is best to store the spice in the grains in a sealed glass jar with a tight lid or ceramic container. Spice should be kept in a dry place at room temperature. Do not allow direct sunlight, moisture or air.
Treatment
For the treatment of intestinal disorders, the following recipe is used: mix a piece of grated ginger, 2-3 ground cardamom grains and a glass of hot water, bring to a boil and leave for several minutes. Drink warm instead of tea.
To get rid of nausea, you only need to chew 2-3 spice grains.
To strengthen the immune system, use 3-4 ground spice seeds and a teaspoon of honey. The resulting mixture is taken once in the morning after waking up.
To reduce weight, brew green tea and add a quarter spoon of ground spice with a few drops of lemon juice. As an adjuvant, it is taken once a day in the morning.
To cleanse the body of toxins and toxins, one teaspoon of ground spices is poured with one glass of boiling water and drunk hot, a quarter of a glass once a day.
In order to get rid of diarrhea, mix the seeds of ground cardamom, fennel and dill in equal parts. One teaspoon of the resulting mixture is poured with a glass of boiling water and insisted. Drink a tablespoon, gradually increasing the intake to a quarter of a glass.
For constipation, cardamom is added to foods that contain fiber and they drink tea with spices and ginger.
During insomnia, pour one teaspoon of ground cardamom with a glass of water, bring to a boil and drink a quarter of a glass.
To get rid of pharyngitis, dry throat and hoarseness, pour 0,5 teaspoon of crushed seeds with a glass of boiling water and, after an hour’s infusion, gargle several times a day.
With impotence, take 1 teaspoon of honey, a pinch of cardamom and pour a glass of boiled milk. Take in the evening 1 glass.
To improve vision, take 4-5 ground seeds and mix with a teaspoon of honey. Take once a day.
For weight loss, ¼ teaspoon of cardamom is added to coffee or tea. For best results, it is recommended to add cardamom, cinnamon and red pepper to your meals. The combination of these three spices stimulates the metabolism, and cinnamon regulates glucose levels.
In aromatherapy, cardamom is used for colds, emotional exhaustion, and headaches. To do this, just put a couple of drops on the aroma lamp and inhale about 15 minutes.
For massage oil is used in combination with grape, linseed, olive oils. To do this, add 3-4 drops of cardamom essential oil to 1 a tablespoon of base oil.
To improve the condition of problem skin 4-5 drops of essential oil is added when taking a bath.
Recipes
The use of cardamom as a condiment is varied. In Germany, cardamom is traditionally added to Christmas baked goods, in Scandinavia – to meat pates, sausages and punches, in Russia – to baking dough and Easter cakes. Arabs add spice to coffee. In the East, it is believed that coffee with cardamom is an indispensable attribute of hospitality.
Bedouin coffee
In a cup of coffee, add a quarter of a teaspoon of spices. If brewed coffee, then you need to mix it with ground cardamom and brew. If the coffee is instant, then you need to add a little spice in it and pour boiling water over it.
The spice adds spice to the drink and neutralizes the toxicity of caffeine, which reduces the risk of high blood pressure.
Cardamom Tea
Three grains of spice pour 0,5 liters of boiling water and leave for several minutes. The resulting tincture is added to green or black tea.
Rice with cardamom
Rinse with 1 cup of rice and dry slightly. Grind 4 spice pods. Bring 2 cups water to a boil, add turmeric and a pinch of salt. In a deep skillet or saucepan, heat 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil and add cinnamon and cardamom. Then pour in the dried rice and fry for a few minutes. After that, pour in boiling water, bring to a boil and cook, covered for 20 minutes. When the rice has absorbed all the water, the dish is cooked. The number of servings received is 4.
Dairy sweet rice
To prepare the dish, you will need a container with a heavy bottom, into which you need to pour 4 cups of milk and add 3 tablespoons of washed rice. Mix the ingredients and bring to a boil, and cook until half of the contents have evaporated. Then you need to add 1 teaspoon of freshly ground spice grains and 2 tablespoons of sugar. Boil for 5 minutes, remove from heat and cool. Sprinkle the cooked dish with chopped pistachios, almonds, or peanuts.
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