Cardamom is one of the most expensive spices in the world, along with saffron and vanilla. Cardamom belongs to the ginger family and is particularly popular in Asian cuisine. In Asia, it is used to flavor hot dishes – such as Indian curries – but also coffee and tea. In Germany, on the other hand, cardamom is mainly used during the Christmas season to refine gingerbread, speculoos or mulled wine.
The spice cardamom
Cardamom is distinguished between green and black cardamom. Both types are used as a spice, but for different dishes. The cardamom spice is obtained in each case from the seeds of the plant, but in part the dried fruits are also used. The seeds contain essential oils that give the spice its typical aroma. However, cardamom is often not used as a pure spice, but is used in spice mixtures. Cardamom is divided into two varieties: Malabar cardamom and the less aromatic Ceylon cardamom. Fruit in winter
Green and black cardamom
Green cardamom has a sweet, pungent flavor. Since its aroma easily dissipates, it is better to buy cardamom capsules in stores instead of ground cardamom powder, which can be used when needed. To do this, open the capsule and then grind the seeds. If the cardamom is fresh, the seeds have a strong green color, while the dried seeds are oily black. Green cardamom is used for Indian masalas, for chai tea, for Arabic coffee, but also for sweet pastries. In contrast to green cardamom, black cardamom has a rather tart and smoky flavor, which is partly due to traditional drying over an open fire. Therefore, it is rarely used in the preparation of desserts. Instead, the spice is mainly used to refine hearty meat dishes.
Effect of cardamom
The seeds of cardamom contain essential oils, especially cineole, as well as terpineol, camphor and borneol, among others. These have a positive influence on our health. Cardamom is said to have a beneficial effect on the gastrointestinal tract. Thus, cardamom is said to be digestive and help with flatulence. Likewise, it is said to have an antispasmodic effect and have a soothing effect on the stomach in case of stomach pain. For stomach problems, a cardamom tea is especially recommended: To do this, lightly crush the cardamom capsules, pour boiling water over them and then steep for at least five minutes. Depending on preference, the tea can be additionally refined with other herbs, such as peppermint. In addition, cardamom is said to be able to provide relief from bad breath: Chewing the seeds is said to improve breath – which is why in some countries people also like to resort to cardamom seeds after drinking alcohol or eating garlic. In Arabia, cardamom is also attributed a mood-lifting as well as an aphrodisiac effect.
Cardamom dose and use
As a spice, cardamom is mainly used in Arabic as well as Asian cuisine. Black cardamom is used here mainly to refine meat, rice and vegetable dishes. Who cooks with cardamom, should note that the spice develops its flavor best when heated. Therefore, the cardamom spice should be added to the dish as early as possible during cooking. Green cardamom is also used to flavor hot dishes such as masalas, but also oriental tea such as chai tea or Arabic coffee are often refined with a little cardamom. The addition of cardamom is said to make the drinks more digestible. In Europe, green cardamom is mainly used at Christmas time. Thus, it is used in the baking of gingerbread or speculoos, but also in the production of mulled wine. Cardamom is very flavorful and can therefore be dosed rather sparingly, depending on the recommended amount in the recipe.
Mulled wine recipe with cardamom
To prepare a mulled wine with cardamom, you will need the following ingredients:
- 1 liter of water
- ¼ liter brandy
- 1 liter red wine
- 2 tablespoons Angostura
- 1 teaspoon cardamom
- 2 sticks cinnamon
- 5 cloves
- 1 piece orange
Put all the ingredients except the orange in a pot and bring the mixture to a boil.Then add the orange and let it infuse briefly. Then serve hot. For a non-alcoholic mulled wine, boil half a liter of fruit tea and then add a small glass of orange juice and the various spices and heat again. Sweeten with honey or rock candy, as desired. Hot feel-good drinks for the cold season
