Cardamom - The Queen of Spices

Native to South India and referred to as ‘ilaichi’ in Hindi, cardamom is an ancient Indian spice that is a ubiquitous kitchen staple and used in everything from curries to desserts. In India, it is cultivated in the Southern state of Kerala, from where it is transported all across the world. Known as the ‘Queen of Spices’, it is the third most expensive spice in the world after saffron and vanilla and has a unique flavour that is a delightful mix of sweet and spicy - making it the perfect flavouring for a variety of palettes; cardamom flavoured tea is very popular all over India and comes with it’s own nuances depending on where you are drinking it.

Cardamom is also revered for it’s potent health benefits; this ancient spice helps improve eyesight and combat teeth and gum infections. It also helps in the treatment of the flu, digestive disorders, kidney stones and gallstones. In Ayurveda, cardamom is especially used to treat urinary disorders, asthma, bronchitis and heart disorders. It also helps treat inflamed skin and combat pigmentation, because of which it has been traditionally used in Ayurvedic and Indian inspired beauty and wellness rituals since centuries.

While there are many ways you can make cardamom a part of your lifestyle, the easiest way to do it is to add a bit to your cup of tea (or via our re.lax tisane!) or as a garnishing for your frozen desserts. As with most things in life, the trick to truly enjoying the subtle nuances of this spice is to not overdo it - most often you’ll find that just a pinch is enough.

Soha Joshi

Looking for a fun way to incorporate the many benefits of cardamom into your life? Check out our Indian inspired tea ice-cream recipe here.