What is cardamom?
Cardamom is a plant that produces dried fruits that ripen between September and December. Its fruits are three-celled oval green capsules with brown seeds inside. The capsules are harvested, dried and then sold as a cardamom spice. Even if the envelope has no olfactory or taste interest, it is a good way to avoid the deterioration of cardamom seeds.
Cardamom belongs to the same family as ginger and zingiberaceae. This spice originates from India where it is very popular and considered an essential condiment.
Cardamom has the particularity of having a lemony, peppery taste, but without stinging. There are several varieties of cardamom, but the one that is most commonly used is green cardamom. Some find a flavor of pine and mint at the end of the tasting. If it is very popular with food lovers, it is also renowned for its health benefits. Cardamom has been part of Ayurvedic medicine for centuries, if not millennia. It is particularly appreciated for its benefits digestives.
Cardamom is increasingly used in Western dishes due to its unique taste and benefits.
What are the properties and benefits of cardamom?
Cardamom is an important source of vitamin B2 ,B6, VS, magnesium, potassium And zinc.
- Cardamom brings digestive well-being and considerably reduces inconvenience such as bloating. It is therefore antispasmodic.
- She has excellent analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties, to fight against muscle spasms and their pain.
- It is also very effective in fighting heartburn and calming acid reflux that can appear after meals.
- Like cloves in the West, cardamom is also used to cure infections in the mouth area. Thanks to its anti-infectious qualities and its analgesic properties, it helps relieve gum disease (gingivitis, periodontitis).
- Cardamom is reputed to stimulate libido as well as brain activity.
- Cardamom has the particularity of neutralizing bad breath. A lesser known, but very effective virtue.
- Cardamom contains a large amount of calcium. It thus makes it possible to obtain better coagulation, good bone and dental health.
- It would also have beneficial effects on stress and anxiety, thanks to its content of alpha-terpenyl acetate (45%), a molecule known to act as psychic rebalancing.
How to consume cardamom?
Cardamom is only consumed orally. It can be used in cooking, consumed as it is or infused.
- Although cardamom is not widely used in Western cuisine, it is quite easy to incorporate it into everyday preparations, savory or sweet. It enhances white meats as well as vegetables. In a gingerbread, it is very popular. It can also be used in combination with ginger and turmeric in savory preparations.
- Cardamom can also be consumed as an infusion. This is particularly the case when preparing an Indian chai-type tea.
- Cardamom essential oil (Eletteria cardamomum) is effective in regulating intestinal transit, it can be diluted in sesame or rapeseed vegetable oil.
- The essential oil would also, thanks to its antimicrobial and antifungal actions, regulate the intestinal flora. In diffusion, it would act at the level of the respiratory tract, while also cleaning up and purifying the air.
Good to know : Cardamom is a food rich in many elements that are difficult to find in everyday food such as zinc, vitamins B2 and B6 and a large amount of minerals.
How to store cardamom?
Cardamom keeps much better in its traditional form, in small pods. Store them at room temperature in an airtight glass jar, away from heat, moisture, and sunlight.
Lakeardamom powder, it is better to consume it quickly, within 3 to 4 months, because once ground, cardamom loses its fragrance and flavor fairly quickly.
What are the contraindications of cardamom?
- There are currently no contraindications to the consumption of cardamom. However, caution should be exercised and excessive consumption should be avoided. In people with heart or liver problems, you will need to be extra vigilant and do not hesitate to consult your doctor.
- Same thing with the essential oil which is contraindicated in pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, in people suffering from epilepsy and in people with allergic conditions.
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