Cardamom (elachi) – A delicious spice species and its uses
Cardamom (elachi) – An ancient herbal seed pod
Cardamom is an ancient herbal seed pod, known since antiquity for its culinary and healing properties. The spice is native to evergreen rainforests of southern India and is now grown in only a few tropical countries. Botanically, cardamom belongs to the family of Zingiberaceae and comprises two genera, i.e., elettaria and amomum. Generally, the plant grows up to 4 metres in
length in thick clumps and starts bearing prized seed pods after about two years of plantation. Each pod measures one to two centimetres in length
Cardamom (elaichi) International, National and State Scenario
Guatemala, India, Srilanka, Tanzania, El Salvador, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Papua New Guinea are the major cardamom growing countries. The world production of cardamom is around 36000 tonnes /annum. Guatemala with a production of 23000 tonnes is the largest producer of cardamom followed by India and Tanzania
India has been a dominant producer of cardamom. It is the second largest producer of cardamom in the world.India consumes almost 90% of the domestic production of cardamom. About 5-8% of its total production, is exported, mostly the premium grade. India also exports value added products of cardamom like cardamom oil, and oleoresins to the European countries Saudi Arabia, Japan, Malaysia, UK, Kuwait…
Kerala is the leading producer of cardamom in the country constituting 78 % of the total production from 56% of the area under cardamom in the country.Idukki in general and Udumbanchola, Peeremadu and Devikulam taluk in particular are the main cardamom growing tracts of Kerala.
Cardamom – Multiple Health benefits and medicinal values
In Ayurvedic treatment/medicine
- added to tea to relieve indigestion,nausea, vomiting and colicky pain.
- used to relieve anorexia,many nervous disorders and to help moods in general.
- it can also be chewed for controlling bad breath,simply chew on a pod of cardamom after every meal or whenever you need to freshen up your breath
Cardamom is used for digestion problems including heartburn, intestinal spasms, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), intestinal gas, constipation, liver and gallbladder complaints and loss of appetite.
It is also used for urinary problems, common cold, cough, bronchitis, sore throat and infection. Some people use cardamom as a stimulant.
Expectorant action – Cardamom helps to improve circulation to the lungs, so it is recommended for people suffering from asthma and bronchitis.
Cardamom can be used to treat sexual dysfunctions like impotency and premature ejaculation.
In winters is a nice way to keep warm – Eating cardamom in winters is a nice way to keep warm and get rid of phlegm occurring in sinuses
To detox the boy – Cardamom is used to detox the body from caffeine and cleanse the kidney and bladder. It is a common addition to coffee in the Middle East
Simple benefits of cardamom – culinary uses
- Cardamom can be used in garam masala, tea, coffee and paan.
- This delicate spice is used as a flavouring agent in several foods and drinks.
- Cardamom pods are used in the preparation of sweet dishes in many Asian countries.
- Cardamom and pistachio kulfi is a famous summer dessert in India
- Cardamom is used as a flavouring base in the preparation of tea, coffee and cold drinks.
- Doubts regarding cardamom how to select and store good cardamom and spices,availability of good spices from Natuloc.com
- What is elaichi powder? What is a cardamom pod? Cardamom – Nutrition and You ?
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