CARDAMOM Latin Name : Elettaria CardamomumCardamom is one of the famous spices in the world today. Fruits and seeds leave pleasant aroma with sweet pungent taste behind when chewed. They can be eaten directly or a powder of seeds/ fruits is added to recipes/ spices/ ayurvedic medicines. It is said that cardamom grew in the gardens of the King of Babylon in 720 B.C. The ancient Egyptians chewed cardamoms to whiten their teeth and simultaneously sweeten their breath. As early as 4 B.C. Indian Ayurvedic medicine texts used the spice to remove fat and as a cure for urinary and skin complaints.Cardamom was used in perfumes by ancient Greeks and Romans and also recommended by Apicius a famous Roman epicure to counteract over-indulgence.PropertiesThe seeds are aromatic sweet cooling carminative (cures flatulence) digestive stimulant and tonic.UsesIn India it is used for flavoring curries puddings and many other sweet dishes. It is often added to teas coffees and milk which adds to their taste. It adds to flavor of the many recipes and has medicinal value in addition. Health tip: Cardamom finds usage in indigestion anorexia burning sensation debility asthma and bronchitis.
