Cardamom is a spice that has a unique and complex flavor profile. It is often described as having a combination of sweet, spicy, and woody notes. The taste can be described as a mix of mint, lemon, and pine, with a hint of ginger and black pepper.
You can grind cardamom seeds by first removing them from the pods and then using a blender. One way to do this is to use a mortar and pestle to crush the pods and release the seeds inside. The seeds can then be ground into a fine powder in small batches using a spice grinder or coffee grinder.
You can also use a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy pan to crush the pods and release the seeds, and then grind the seeds in a spice grinder or coffee grinder.
Steps to grind your own cardamom
You will need a coffee grinder or a spice grinder specifically designed for grinding hard seeds and spices.
First remove the seeds from the cardamom pods and put the pods aside. You can split the pods and then remove the seeds from each pod. You can use the flat side of a knife to remove the seeds if needed. (We’ll discuss possible uses for the cardamom pods below).
Then you grind the seeds in small batches until they reach the desired consistency.
Clean the grinder thoroughly before and after use to prevent the taste and scent from lingering for the next time you use the grinder.
While you can also crush cardamom seeds using a mortar and pestle, it’s more work and may not yield consistent results.
A third option is to place the seeds in a plastic bag and use a rolling pin to crush them.
There are benefits to grinding your own cardamom
There are several benefits to grinding your own cardamom rather than buying it already ground:
- Freshness: Cardamom loses its flavor and aroma quickly after it is ground. By grinding your own cardamom, you can ensure that you are using the freshest and most flavorful product.
- Cost-effective: Buying whole cardamom pods is generally less expensive than buying pre-ground cardamom.
- Customization: Grinding your own cardamom allows you to control the fineness of the grind, so you can make it as fine or as coarse as you prefer.
- Quality control: When you grind your own cardamom, you can visually inspect the pods and discard any that appear moldy or spoiled before grinding.
- Taste: The taste of freshly ground cardamom is far superior to pre-ground, as it has much more flavor and aroma than pre-ground cardamom that has been sitting on the store shelf for months.
Where to use cardamom in your cooking
Cardamom is a popular spice in many cuisines around the world, particularly in Indian, Middle Eastern, and Scandinavian cooking. It is often used in savory dishes, such as curries, stews, and soups, as well as sweet dishes, such as breads, pastries, and desserts.
Cardamom is also used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine and is believed to have a variety of health benefits. It is used to aid digestion, freshen breath, and to help with respiratory issues.
In addition, it is also a common ingredient in spice blends such as garam masala and baharat, and is also used in coffee, and tea.
Below we’ll take a closer look at specific dishes that use cardamom.
Food dishes and drinks you can add cardamom to
Here are some popular dishes and drinks that you can add cardamom to:
- Curries: Cardamom is a common ingredient in many Indian and Middle Eastern curries, adding a unique and complex flavor to the dish.
- Stews: Cardamom can be added to stews and soups to give them a warm and spicy flavor.
- Sweets: Cardamom is a popular spice in baking, it is used in many sweet dishes such as breads, pastries, and desserts.
- Rice dishes: Cardamom can be added to rice dishes such as biryani and pilaf to give them a unique and flavorful taste.
- Chai tea: Cardamom is a common ingredient in chai tea, where it pairs well with other spices such as cinnamon, ginger, and cloves.
- Coffee: Cardamom is a common ingredient in traditional Middle Eastern and Turkish coffee, adding a unique and flavorful taste to the coffee.
- Ice creams and sorbets: Cardamom can be added to ice cream and sorbets to give them a unique and flavorful taste.
- Drinks: Cardamom can be added to cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks to give them a unique and flavorful taste.
Tips on adding cardamom and food and drinks
Cardamom can add a sweet and unique taste to food and drinks but it is worth nothing that it can be an acquired taste.
Here are some tips for using cardamom in food and drink dishes in terms of how much to use:
- Start with a small amount: Cardamom has a strong and unique flavor, so it’s best to start with a small amount and then adjust to taste. A general rule of thumb is to use about 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of ground cardamom per 4 servings of a dish.
- Whole pods vs ground: Whole cardamom pods have a more subtle flavor than ground cardamom, so you may need to use more whole pods to achieve the same level of flavor as ground cardamom. A general rule of thumb is to use about 4-6 whole pods per 4 servings of a dish.
- Add at the right time: If adding cardamom to a dish that is cooked for a long time, it’s best to add it at the beginning of the cooking process so that the flavor has time to infuse the dish. If adding to a dish that is cooked quickly, it’s best to add it towards the end of the cooking process so that the flavor doesn’t get lost.
- Adjust to taste: Remember that everyone’s taste preferences are different, so it’s important to adjust the amount of cardamom to your taste. Start with a small amount and then add more as needed.
- Be careful with the heat: Cardamom can be easily burned, so be careful not to add it to a dish that is too hot or cook it over too high heat.
- Pair well: Cardamom pairs well with other spices such as cinnamon, ginger, and cloves, so consider using these spices in combination with cardamom to enhance the overall flavor of a dish.
Uses for the cardamom pods
Cardamom pods are the seed pods of the cardamom plant and are used as a spice in cooking and traditional medicine. While we use the cardamom seeds inside the pods for cooking and drinks, there are also some potential uses for the whole pods themselves.
Here are some uses for cardamom pods:
- Culinary uses: Cardamom pods are used in a variety of dishes, such as curries, stews, soups, rice dishes, breads, pastries, and desserts. They can be used whole or ground and added to a dish at the beginning or end of the cooking process as an infusion.
- Traditional medicine: Cardamom pods have been used in traditional Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. They are believed to aid digestion, freshen breath, and help with respiratory issues.
- Aromatherapy: Cardamom pods can be added to potpourri or used in a diffuser to release their pleasant aroma.
- Decorative: Cardamom pods can be used in floral arrangements and other decorations, as they have a unique and interesting appearance.
Used (empty) cardamom pods can be recycled in your bio bin.