True Cardamom (Green Cardamom)
Introduction
Cardamom is one of the most expensive spices in the world and there are mainly two varieties as green cardamom (AKA true cardamom) and black cardamom. Green cardamom pods are small and intense in flavor while black cardamom is larger, dark colored and smoky favored. Black cardamom is from the plant scientifically named Amomum subulatum and green cardamom is from Elettaria cardamomum. Cardamom is from the Zingiberaceae family (ginger family). Considering the differences black cardamom's seed is the only thing used as a spice while pod and seeds both are used as a spice in green cardamom. Green cardamom is more expensive than black cardamom. Black cardamom is grown in Nepal, Southern Bhutan, and West Bengal while green cardamom is grown in the Western Ghat mountains, Southern parts of India, Sri Lanka, Burma, and Guatemala. But today we are not going to write about black cardamom. We are going to take a look at green cardamom or the cardamom you all know as a great spice. The green cardamom spice is the pod (which is 0.8 cm - 1.5 cm long) and it's seeds contain 2% - 10% of essential oil.
Origin
Cardamom originally came to the world from wild plants of western Ghat mountains in South India where cardamom plants grow abundantly which made that area called the name Cardamom hills.
History
Cardamom's history goes back at least 4000 years and there was an old Egyptian document in 1500 BC saying ancient Egyptians were using it for medicines and other practices. They also chewed green cardamom pods to clean teeth and freshen their breath.
Greeks and Romans used cardamom spice for perfumes, ointment, and aromatic oils. During 19 Th century, British colonists established cardamom plantations and today Guatemala is the biggest commercial cardamom producer in the world approximately producing 23000 MTs a year.
Indigenous Medicinal Value
Cardamom had been used as medicine for thousands of years to treat indigestion, constipation, loss of appetite, asthma, and bad breath.
Bee Natural Organic Cardamom Powder
Read more ...
https://pdf.usaid.gov/PDF_DOCS/PA00KNZM.PDF
https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/cardamom-market
https://spiceitupp.com/difference-between-green-vs-black-cardamom-pods/
https://pediaa.com/what-is-the-difference-between-green-and-black-cardamom/
https://www.myspicer.com/history-cardamom/
https://www.bespokespices.com/history-of-cardamom.html
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