Bella Adams
The oriental spice cardamom is valued not only for its exquisite and original taste and aroma but also for its very great healing properties. Today, cardamom is the “king of spices”. What does cardamom contain in its composition and what benefits and harm can it do to the body? Let’s talk about it!
Composition of cardamom
100 g of cardamom seeds contain 311 kilocalories, of which 60.3 kcal are derived from fat. Proteins contain 23.4%, carbohydrates 16.5%, and fats 12% of the daily intake.
Also in the composition: saturated fatty acids, water, ash, and dietary fiber.
Vitamins are presented in cardamom in the following form: Vitamin PP (Niacin equivalent), Vitamin C (ascorbic acid), Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine), Vitamin B2 (riboflavin), Vitamin B1 (thiamine).
Minerals: Manganese, Copper, Zinc, Iron, Phosphorus, Potassium, Sodium, Magnesium, Calcium.
Medicinal properties of cardamom
Due to its rich content of nutrients, cardamom is used
- for colds and viral infections as an antiseptic.
- in case of cough as an expectorant.
- with a decrease in immunity.
- in case of high blood cholesterol levels.
- as a diuretic.
- in case of flatulence and indigestion.
- in case of intestinal disorders.
- in case of nausea and vomiting.
- in case of loss of strength.
- in case of heart rhythm disturbance.
- in case of insomnia.
- in case of depression.
- in case of low blood pressure.
- in case of menstrual disorders.
How to use cardamom – recipes
If you feel nauseous, you should chew whole cardamom seeds, two or three pieces are enough to make you feel better. This can also be recommended for those who get motion sickness in transportation.
In case of an upset stomach, you should mix a piece of grated ginger and two or three crushed cardamom seeds, brew with a glass of boiling water, boil for a minute, leave for a few minutes, and drink as tea, warm. If you don’t have fresh ginger, you can take half a teaspoon of ground ginger.
To strengthen the immune system, grind three to four cardamom seeds, add a teaspoon of honey, mix, and take daily once in the morning.
For weight loss, brew a cup of green tea, add 1/4 teaspoon of ground cardamom, and a few drops of lemon juice. Take it in the morning once a day. Cardamom for weight loss is used, of course, as an aid.
To cleanse the body, pour a teaspoon of ground cardamom with a glass of boiling water, insist, strain, and drink 1/4 cup hot once a day.
For diarrhea, ground cardamom is mixed with fennel and dill seeds in equal parts. A teaspoon of the mixture is brewed with a glass of boiling water, and let it stand for a while. Start taking this infusion with one tablespoon, gradually increasing the amount per dose to 1/4 cup.
For constipation, add cardamom to fiber-rich foods, and drink tea with cardamom and ginger.
For insomnia, pour a teaspoon of ground cardamom with a glass of water, bring to a boil, strain, and drink 1/4 cup before bed.
Contraindications for the use of cardamom
Contraindications to the use of cardamom can be an allergy to the product; pregnancy and breastfeeding; peptic ulcers; gastritis, and hypotension.
If you have not used cardamom before, be careful not to let the benefits turn into harm. The spice has a pronounced smell and taste. That is why you should start with a small amount of it – try to add a dose to the menu that fits on the tip of a teaspoon.
Cardamom in cooking
Cardamom is sold in pale green pods with seeds in them, but it can also be bought as loose seeds or powder. It is best to buy the pods, as they retain the unsurpassed aroma of the spice intact, and the seeds should be extracted immediately before cooking, as the essential oils evaporate very quickly.
There are two varieties of cardamom – green and black, with green being spicier and sweeter, and black being softer and more delicate, with a smoked flavor. In Indian cuisine, black cardamom is used to flavor sauces, pea soups, rice, meat, and vegetable dishes, while green cardamom is indispensable in the preparation of sweets and drinks.
This spice goes well with black pepper, cloves, cinnamon, saffron, and nutmeg, but it takes time to fully develop, so it is better to add cardamom to dishes at the very beginning of cooking. The pods are usually broken carefully so that the seeds are not damaged, and after the dish is ready, the seeds should be removed.
It is recommended to add ground cardamom to cheese, baked goods, and sweets, and fresh or dried leaves of the plant are often used in salads.
The use of cardamom as a seasoning in different countries has its own characteristics. In Germany, cardamom is added to Christmas gingerbread, in Scandinavian countries this spice is used in the production of meat pates and sausages, and in many countries, cardamom is used to flavor cookies and dough, especially Easter cakes.
Cardamom is a component of marinades for preserving fruits, berries, vegetables, mushrooms, and fish, and is also used in the preparation of cheese and canned food. If you add cardamom seeds to homemade alcoholic beverages, it will interrupt the smell of alcohol and give the wine and liquor a unique taste.
Coffee with cardamom
If you add a little cardamom to ordinary coffee, its taste will certainly change, and this drink has a very good effect on the nervous system, it will improve mood and protect against depression. This kind of coffee is very common in Arab countries, but it is also becoming more and more popular here, especially among those who like something new.
Usually, 1/4 teaspoon of ground cardamom is added to a cup of coffee. There are different ways to add cardamom to coffee. If you are brewing ground coffee in a Turk or in a coffee maker, just mix the coffee with cardamom and then add water. If you drink instant coffee, add a little ground cardamom to the cup and pour hot water over the coffee.
Cardamom tea
Cardamom tea is very common in India, Africa, and Southeast Asia. You can make this tea at home yourself; you will need three cardamom seeds per 0.5 liters of water. The cardamom is poured with boiling water, boiled for several minutes over low heat, insisted for ten minutes, and filtered. This infusion is added to black or green tea flavored with lemon, honey, or sugar. If desired, you can add a little milk to the tea.
How to choose and store cardamom?
To choose high-quality cardamom, you need to know a few things. The spice should be in a soft, unopened shell, the size of which is from 1.5 to 2 cm. Cardamom should be pale green or olive in color. If the spice is bright in color, then most likely the manufacturer used chemical coloring. Yellow cardamom was dried in the sun in violation of the technology, which means that the spice is of poor quality.
Fresh cardamom has a delicate aroma and a sweetish-burning flavor. The grains of high-quality cardamom should be black or green in color, with a characteristic shine, and slightly slippery to the touch. Keep in mind that ground cardamom is often faked, so it quickly loses its taste and aroma, so buy spices packed in an airtight container.
Store ground cardamom in a tightly closed container, as the spice loses its unique flavor when it comes into contact with air. In this state, cardamom can be stored for no longer than 2 months. If the spice is grain, then it can be stored without packaging.
As you can see, the benefits of cardamom are obvious! It is not just a spice that gives the dishes flavor, unsurpassed aroma, and piquancy, but also a very useful product for us, because even its smell can lift the mood, inspire energy and reduce headaches. Be healthy!
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