Cardamom

Cardamom, often referred to as the “Queen of Spices,” is one of the world’s most aromatic and valued spices, prized for its sweet, floral flavor and captivating fragrance. Belonging to the Zingiberaceae (ginger) family, cardamom is native to the evergreen rainforests of the Western Ghats in southern India, particularly Kerala. It is obtained from the small seed pods of the Elettaria cardamomum plant, which contain tiny black seeds rich in essential oils. The spice is mainly available in two varieties — green cardamom, which has a delicate, sweet flavor used in desserts, teas, and savory dishes, and black cardamom, which offers a smoky, bold aroma suited for curries and meat preparations.