Cardamom / এলাচ
Cardamom ( এলাচ /ˈkɑːrdəməm/ ), 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 (the largest
producer until the late 20th century), Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Indonesia
and Nepal. They are recognised by their small seed pods: triangular in
cross-section and spindle-shaped, with a thin papery outer shell and small
black seeds; Elettaria pods are light green and smaller, while Amomum pods are
larger and dark brown.
The German coffee
planter Oscar Majus Kloeffer introduced Indian cardamom to cultivation in
Guatemala before World War I; by 2000 that country had become the biggest
producer and exporter of cardamom in the world, followed by India. Some other
countries, such as Sri Lanka, have also begun to cultivate it.
Cardamom is the world's
third-most expensive spice, surpassed in price per weight only by vanilla and
saffron.
There are two main types
of cardamom:
-
True or
green cardamom or, when bleached, white cardamom
-
Black
cardamom, also known as brown, greater, large, longer, or Nepal cardamom, comes
from species Amomum subulatum and is native to the eastern Himalayas and mostly
cultivated in Eastern Nepal, Sikkim and parts of Darjeeling district in West
Bengal of India, and Southern Bhutan.
The two types of
cardamom, were distinguished in the fourth century BCE by the Greek father of
botany, Theophrastus. Theophrastus and informants knew that these varieties
were originally and solely from India.
What is green cardamom?
Green cardamom is one of
the most expensive spices by weight, but little is needed to impart the flavor.
Specific uses of green cardamom vary with different cuisines and cultures.
Cardamom is a key ingredient in sweet baked goods in Scandanavia, like holiday
Julekake and Finnish pulla.
Where is cardamom grown?
Cultivation of cardamom
is mostly concentrated in the ever green forests of Western Ghats in South
India. Besides India, cardamom is grown as a commercial crop in Guatemala and
on small scale in Tanzania, Sri Lanka, El Salvador, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand,
Cambodia, Honduras, Papua & New Guinea and Bangladesh.
Is Cardamon the same as cardamom?
Cardamom (/ˈkɑrdəməm/),
sometimes called cardamon, is a spice made from the seeds of several plants in
the genera Elettaria and Amomum in the family Zingiberaceae.
How does cardamom taste like?
it's a rarity, but every
now and then, if you get a slight wiff of the sweet spice of cardamom, you'll
be ecstatic to be able place it. Cardomon is very strong and aromatic. It has a
spicy, herbal, citrusy character and goes very well with cinnamon, nutmeg,
allspice, clove, and other aromatic spices.
The content of
essential oil in the seeds is strongly dependent on storage conditions, but may
be as high as 8%. In the oil were found α-terpineol 45%, myrcene 27%, limonene
8%, menthone 6%, β-phellandrene 3%, 1,8-cineol 2%, sabinene 2% and heptane 2%.
Other sources report 1,8-cineol (20 to 50%), α-terpenylacetate (30%), sabinene,
limonene (2 to 14%), and borneol.
In the seeds of round
cardamom from Java (A. kepulaga), the content of essential oil is lower (2 to
4%), and the oil contains mainly 1,8 cineol (up to 70%) plus β-pinene (16%);
furthermore, α-pinene, α-terpineol and humulene were found.[14]
Both forms of
cardamom are used as flavorings and cooking spices in both food and drink, and
as a medicine. E. cardamomum (green cardamom) is used as a spice, a
masticatory, and in medicine; it is also smoked.
Nutrition Facts
Cardamom
Amount Per 1 tbsp,
ground (5.8 g)
Calories 18
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0.4 g 0%
Saturated fat 0 g 0%
Polyunsaturated fat 0 g
Monounsaturated fat 0.1 g
Cholesterol 0 mg 0%
Sodium 1
mg 0%
Potassium 65 mg 1%
Total Carbohydrate 4 g 1%
Dietary fiber 1.6 g 6%
Protein 0.6
g 1%
Vitamin A 0% Vitamin
C 2%
Calcium 2% Iron 4%
Vitamin D 0% Vitamin
B-6 0%
Vitamin B-12 0% Magnesium 3%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a
2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your
calorie needs.
Cardamom has a strong,
unique taste, with an intensely aromatic, resinous fragrance. Black cardamom
has a distinctly more smokey, though not bitter, aroma, with a coolness some
consider similar to mint.
Green cardamom is one of
the more expensive spices by weight, but little is needed to impart flavor. It
is best stored in the pod as exposed or ground seeds quickly lose their flavor.
Grinding the pods and seeds together lowers both the quality and the price. For
recipes requiring whole cardamom pods, a generally accepted equivalent is 10
pods equals 1 1⁄2 teaspoons of ground cardamom.
It is a common
ingredient in Indian cooking. It is also often used in baking in the Nordic
countries, in particular in Sweden and Finland, where it is used in traditional
treats such as the Scandinavian Jule bread Julekake, the Swedish
kardemummabullar sweet bun, and Finnish sweet bread pulla. In the Middle East,
green cardamom powder is used as a spice for sweet dishes, as well as
traditional flavouring in coffee and tea. Cardamom is used to a wide extent in
savoury dishes. In some Middle Eastern countries, coffee and
In Asia both types of
cardamom are widely used in both sweet and savory dishes, particularly in the
south. Both are frequent components in spice mixes, such as Indian and Nepali
masalas and Thai curry pastes. Green cardamom is often used in traditional
Indian sweets and in masala chai (spiced tea). Both are also often used as a
garnish in basmati rice and other dishes. Individual seeds are sometimes chewed
and used in much the same way as chewing gum. It is used by confectionery giant
Wrigley; its Eclipse Breeze Exotic Mint packaging indicates the product
contains "cardamom to neutralize the toughest breath odors". It is
also included in gin and herbal teas.
Health Benefits Of
Cardamom
Cardamom is an ideal
spice with many health benefits. The most popular and well known health
benefits are listed below.
Anti-Carcinogenic Properties: Cancer, particularly colorectal cancer, is one of the leading causes
of
Good for Cardiovascular Health: Research studies conducted at the Department of Pharmacology and
Pharmaceuticals at the College of Pharmacy of King Saud University, Saudi
Arabia showed that cardamom administration for cardiovascular conditions
resulted in a lower heartbeat or controlled rhythm, and control of
hypertension.
Control of Cholesterol:
The micronutrients found in cardamom can counteract the surge of lipids in
Anti-Depressant:
Cardamom is also believed to possess anti-depressant properties. Its essential
oil is one of the major oils used in aromatherapy. It can be used not only for
depression, but also as a cure for various other diseases ranging from stomach
disorders to pulmonary diseases.
Treating Urinary Disorders:
In Ayurveda, cardamom has been used as a remedy for urinary tract diseases and
infections such as cystitis, nephritis, and gonorrhea.
Protection Against Gastrointestinal Diseases: Cardamom has been traditionally used in Ayurveda,
Chinese medicine and the Unani system as a remedy for gastrointestinal
disorders. The methanolic extract from cardamom is the component that helps in
controlling gastrointestinal disorders such as acidity, flatulence, and stomach
cramps. Studies conducted by Jamal et al. at the Department of Chemistry, Jamia
Hamdard, in New Delhi, India have concluded that the extracted volatile oils
from cardamom have shown positive effects on gastrointestinal disorders.
Antimicrobial Properties:
For many millennia, cardamom was thought to possess infection-fighting
properties. For modern science, it means that cardamom
Anti-Spasmodic Properties:
Muscle spasms are often reported by older people. A sudden contraction of the
muscles causes these spasms. When the muscles contract, they can result in a
sudden emergence of pain. Researchers Al-Zuhair et al. at the King Saud
University in Saudi Arabia have performed animal-based research and concluded
that cardamom can be used as a controlling measure for muscle spasms.
Dental Diseases:
Cardamom has been used in Ayurveda as well as traditional Chinese medicine for
dealing with dental problems for many centuries. After the invention of
antibiotics, it was found that these antibiotics produced mixed results, as
well as side effects. Some side effects included the inhibition of friendly
probiotic bacteria thriving in the intestines. However, the use of spices, on
the other hand, is ideal because they inhibit only infectious microbes, not the
probiotic bacteria. A study conducted by Isao Kubo, Masaki Himejima, and Hisae
Muroi at the Division of Entomology and Parasitology at the University of
California has verified the presence of antimicrobial properties in cardamom.
cardamominfo
Anti-Asthmatic Property:
Cardamom can also be used as a remedy for asthma and other respiratory issues.
One study has shown that the crude extracts from cardamom were effective enough
in opening up constricted wind pipes in lab animals. They were also effective
in causing relaxation to the tracheal tissues. This preliminary study has been
positive, and warrants further investigation.
Anti-Inflammatory
Properties: According to Ayurveda, cardamom is good for muscle and joint
Detoxification: The
metabolic processes in our body release toxins and free radicals that have to
be nullified and flushed out to remain healthy. Otherwise, these accumulated
toxins can cause several diseases, including cancer and premature aging.
Cardamom is known to act as a detoxifying agent. The essential oils and
biochemicals present in cardamom provide detoxifying effects. A study conducted
by Das et al. showed that cardamom was effective against cancer cells.
Improved Blood Circulation:
In traditional therapies such as aromatherapy, cardamom has been used to cure
symptoms of asthma and bronchitis by improving blood circulation to the lungs.
The essential oil extracted from cardamom has been tested in groups of
individuals with stress and has been found that cardamom is effective in
promoting blood circulation in the body. The research was undertaken at the
Nitte University in Mangalore, India.
Good for Nausea and
Vomiting: Traditionally, cardamom has been used as a remedy for nausea.
Cardamom is an effective tonic and stimulant and is good for calming the
sensations of nausea and vomiting.
Aphrodisiac Properties:
Since cardamom gives out a sweet flavor, it was traditionally believed to
possess aphrodisiac properties. Not only is cardamom regarded as an
aphrodisiac, but it is also believed to possess the cure for impotency and
premature ejaculation.
Sore Throat: For sore
throats, cardamom acts as a good remedy. Cardamom and cinnamon can both be
boiled in water and can be used to gargle every morning to control painful sore
throats.
Hiccups: Hiccups can be
very annoying, especially for children. There are several remedies prescribed
in folk medicine and one of the most popular among them is startling a person
who is hiccupping. This may or may not work most of the time. However, cardamom
is another very effective remedy. Take few pods of cardamom and boil them in
water. By drinking this water, one can get rid of hiccups.
Breath Freshener:
Cardamom pods and seeds can be chewed as a breath freshener. The flavors and
aroma found in cardamom are due to the presence of essential oil. It is no
wonder that the essential oil of cardamom is being used as a popular ingredient
in chewing gum!
CARDAMOM COFFEE
Ingredients
1 cup water
1 Tablespoon finely
ground coffee
1 cardamom pod, slightly
crushed
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
(optional)Instructions
In a small pan, boil
water and sugar, if using.
Turn off heat.
Add coffee and cardamom
pod.
Turn on heat just until
coffee begins to bubble/foam. Turn off heat.
Repeat step 4, 2-3 more
times.
Let coffee sit so that
grounds settle to the bottom of the pan.
Carefully pour coffee in
to cup, leaving as much grounds in the pan as possible.
Sweet Mint Lassi
A refreshing yogurt
based drink made with honey,mint and cardamom.
Ingredients
2 cups organic plain
yogurt (Greek or regular)
½-1 cup coconut milk (
full fat, us more if using a thicker yogurt like Greek)
¼c-1/3c honey
¼ tsp cardamom
Several mint leaves
½-1 c ice
Saffron and more mint
for garnish
Instructions
Combine all in a blender
except the saffron, using the smaller amounts of the ingredients listed. If
desired add more honey, mint, cardamom until you reach preferred taste. Pour
into glasses, garnish with saffron and mint and serve immediately.
BLACKBERRY AND BLUEBERRY CRUMB BARS
INGREDIENTS:
For the filling:
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1 cup blueberries
1 cup blackberries
2 tablespoons fresh
lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon zest
3 tablespoons water
For the bars:
2 cups oats (quick or
old-fashioned -- I used a mix of both)
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 and 1/4 cups light
brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 teaspoon ground
cardamom
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons fresh
lemon juice
1 cup unsalted butter,
cold and cut into small pieces
DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 325
degrees Fahrenheit.
In a small saucepan, mix
together sugar and cornstarch. Add remaining filling ingredients (1 cup
blueberries, 1 cup blackberries, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon
zest and 3 tablespoons water). Stir to combine. Bring to a simmer over medium
heat and stir frequently. Reduce heat to medium low and continue to cook until
thickened and berries are mostly broken down (10-15 minutes).
Meanwhile, prepare dough
for the bars. In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, flour, brown sugar,
cardamom, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, and salt until well combined. Sprinkle mixture
with 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice. Add butter and use a pastry cutter or two
forks or knives to cut in the butter pieces until the mixture is crumbly and
there are no large chunks of butter remaining.
Spray a 9x13-inch pan
with nonstick cooking spray.
Set aside 2 cups of
crumb mixture. Pour the rest into the prepared pan and press down with fingers
to form a uniform crust. Bake for 10 minutes or until set. Spread fruit filling
evenly over crust. Sprinkle with reserved oat mixture and press down gently (be
careful for the hot pan!).
Bake for an additional
35-40 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool completely before
cutting into bars.
Note: Lemon juice and
zest needed for this recipe requires about 3 large lemons.
No comments:
Post a Comment