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See Also Articles: Cardamom; Cardamom Report, India
CARDAMOM
Cardamom is the dried, unripened fruit of the perennial Elettaria cardamomum. Enclosed in the fruit pods are tiny, brown, aromatic seeds which are slightly pungent to taste. Cardamom pods are generally green but are also available in bleached white pod form. It is available both in the whole pod and as decorticated seeds with the outer hull removed.
Throughout the Arab world, Cardamom is one of the most popular spices, with Cardamom coffee being a symbol of hospitality and prestige. The spice is also very popular in the Scandinavian countries where it is used more extensively than cinnamon.
Cardamom is one of the oldest spices in the world, and the most popular spice in ancient Rome was probably cardamom. It is the world's second most expensive spice, saffron being the most expensive.
In the Canterbury Tales, cardamom is "the spice of paradise." (10/13/05 from Gardin C.)
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