Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) - The Queen of Spices
Green cardamom is an aromatic spice with a very wide range of uses. The plant has underground stems with leafy roots, large white or pale green leaves, pale green fruits, and black seeds. The spice has a very warm aroma and pungent taste which it can retain for a very long time. Apart from using the entire pod as a flavoring, its black seeds powdered and the outer covering is also used.
Usage
The outer covering can lend a unique flavor to tea if added along with tea leaves, and coffee as well. It is also one of the essential spices added to the garam masala mix and curry powder. Betel leaf preparations contain green cardamom.
Various dishes like pulao, curries, biryanis, kebabs, and other hot dishes are infused with its aroma. Sweet dishes like kheer, phirni, flans, porridge, halwa also taste better with its distinctive flavor.
Different Local names in India
- ഏലക്കായ് - Elakkay in Malayalam
- యేలకులు - Elakulu in Telugu
- ஏலக்காய் - Elakka in Tamil
- ಏಲಕ್ಕಿ - Elakki in Kannada
- इलायची - Ilaychi in Hindi
- वेलची - Velchi in Marathi
- এলাচি] - Elachi in Bengali
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