The Benefits of Incorporating Cardamom Pods into Your Daily Tea Ritual

Used in culinary and medicinal applications, cardamom is a highly aromatic spice, rich in antioxidants. Belonging to the ginger family, cardamom comes from the seeds of plants in the Elettaria and Amomum genera. This fragrant spice originates from India and Sri Lanka, but is now cultivated in various tropical regions, Guatemala being the world's leading producer.

In dishes, cardamom enhances both sweet and savory meals, teas, and spice blends like garam masala. Healthwise, cardamom is valued for its digestive, anti-inflammatory, and breath-freshening properties.

Cardamom: The Plant That Keeps on Giving

As old as 4000 years, cardamom comes in two main types: green (Elettaria cardamomum), which has a sweet, floral flavour, and black (Amomum subulatum), which is smoky and earthy. It is a tropical, perennial plant that thrives in warm, humid climates, growing in dense forests, and reaching heights of 2 to 5 meters, with long, lance-shaped leaves and slender stems. Cardamom produces small, pale green or brown pods containing tiny, aromatic black seeds, a process that happens after about 3 years. Harvesting the pods is labour-intensive, as they must be hand-picked at the right stage of ripeness.

Cardamom is widely used in cooking, traditional medicine, and perfumes. It has digestive, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties, making it valuable in herbal remedies. But as well as its culinary and medicinal benefits, this popular spice plays an essential role in agroforestry, helping prevent soil erosion. Its cultivation supports livelihoods in many rural communities, making it a significant spice in global trade and agriculture.

Cardamom has its uses in all its forms – powder, seeds and pods:

Cardamom Powder

The powder is made from the green, dried cardamom seed and widely used in cooking, baking, and beverages due to its strong, aromatic flavour. It is often added to cakes, cookies, and puddings and also used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine for curries, and rice dishes. Cardamom powder is added to beverages to enhance the flavours of chai tea, coffee, and lassi.

Cardamom Seeds

Found within the pods of the cardamom plant, the seeds are small, black or brown and extremely aromatic. They are the most flavourful part of the spice and contain the essential oils that give cardamom its distinct aroma and taste.

Like the powder, cardamom seeds are an essential part of Middle Eastern cuisine, used in garam masala, chai spice mix, and certain spice blends. The seeds are commonly used in Indian sweets like kheer (rice pudding) and also Scandinavian pastries. Tea, coffee, and infused drinks are given a rich, warm flavour.

Cardamom Pods

Cardamom pods are the outer coverings that home the aromatic seeds of the cardamom plant. The pods protect the seeds and help retain their essential oils, keeping the spice fresh and fragrant.

The pods can be used in cooking, added to curries, stews, and rice dishes to infuse flavour, then removed before serving. Cardamom seeds can be a useful ingredient when baking as they release an aromatic flavour when infused in custards, cakes, and puddings. And in beverages, chai tea, coffee, and spiced drinks are enhanced when the whole pods are steeped.

Tea & Cardamom: The Perfect Duo

Cardamom enhances both black and herbal teas, with its warm, aromatic flavour. As well as the numerous health benefits it provides, the favoured spice adds a slightly sweet, citrusy, and spicy taste to the popular beverage.

Cardamom tea benefits include improved digestion, boosted immunity, and promoting relaxation. It's also beneficial for freshening breath and improving respiratory health.

How to Make Cardamom Tea

Cardamom tea can be made with whole pods or ground cardamom, steeped in hot water. To enjoy the benefits of cardamom tea, you can prepare it in two different ways:

Simple Cardamom Tea Recipe:

• Crush 3-4 green cardamom pods to release the seeds.

• Boil 1 cup of water and add the crushed pods.
• Let it simmer for 5-10 minutes.
• Strain and enjoy. Add honey or lemon for additional flavour.

Chai-Style Cardamom Tea:

• Brew black tea with crushed cardamom pods.
• Add milk and a natural sweetener if desired.
• Simmer for a few minutes before straining and serving.

The Health Benefits of Cardamom Tea

A soothing herbal drink, cardamom is used in Ayurvedic and traditional medicine due to the numerous Cardamom tea benefits. Rich in antioxidants, essential oils, and minerals, this powerful spice supports overall well-being in multiple ways:

1. Aids Digestion

Well known for its digestive benefits, cardamom stimulates the digestive enzymes, which break down food efficiently. This reduces bloating, gas, and indigestion, soothing stomach cramps and nausea. Cardamom tea helps with acid reflux by balancing stomach pH levels and promotes a healthy gut by preventing bacterial infections.

2. Boosts Immunity

Cardamom contains high levels of antioxidants, helping to strengthen the immune system by fighting free radicals that cause cell damage and aging. Adding cardamom to your diet can support the body's natural defence against infections and reduces inflammation, which plays a role in many chronic diseases.

3. Supports Heart Health

Regular consumption of cardamom tea can lower high blood pressure, leading to a healthier heart. With its potassium and anti-inflammatory properties, cardamom can improve circulation and blood flow, while reducing cholesterol levels and preventing plaque buildup in arteries.

4. Improves Oral Health

With its antibacterial properties, cardamom tea is highly beneficial for oral hygiene. It promotes dental health by preventing cavities and gum infections and reduces the growth of harmful bacteria in the mouth. For centuries, cardamom has been used to freshen breath and keep tooth decay at bay.

5. Enhances Respiratory Health

Drinking cardamom tea can help clear the respiratory system. With its natural decongestant properties, it helps to relieve congestion and mucus buildup, while at the same time soothing sore throats and reducing coughs. Research has shown that cardamom tea can improve breathing and lung function, especially for those with asthma or bronchitis.

6. Reduces Stress and Enhances Mood

The natural compounds in cardamom have shown to have calming and mood-enhancing effects. It can reduce stress and anxiety levels, promote relaxation and better sleep, and even act as a mild antidepressant by stimulating serotonin production.

7. Aids in Detoxification

The diuretic properties found in tea boost liver performance, and teamed with the detoxifying properties of cardamom, flushes toxins from the body. Cardamom tea supports kidney function, reducing water retention and cleans the blood resulting in healthier skin.

8. Regulates Blood Sugar Levels

Studies suggest that cardamom may help in managing blood sugar levels, with regular consumption improving insulin sensitivity. It can help to regulate glucose metabolism and can even reduce the risk of diabetes-related complications.

9. Supports Weight Loss

If you're struggling with managing your weight, cardamom tea can help you lose fat. With metabolism-boosting properties, cardamom reduces cravings, leaving you feeling fuller for longer.

The Versatility of Cardamom

Cardamom is widely known for its culinary and medicinal uses, but did you know it's used in many other applications? As well as being a key ingredient in dishes, beverages, baking and spices, cardamom's strong, spicy aroma makes it fitting for cosmetic use.

In essential oils & perfumes, cardamom is used for its warm, spicy scent. Aromatherapy practices have been known to make use of the warm spice as it promotes relaxation and reduces stress. And body care products such as lotions, creams, and soaps utilise cardamom for its antibacterial properties.

Cardamom's unique aroma and health benefits make it a valuable spice in multiple fields, from kitchens to wellness products.

← Previous Post Next Post →