What is the difference between cardamom and black cardamom?

Published by Anaya Cole on

What is the difference between cardamom and black cardamom?

The green cardamom has a very strong and intense aroma and flavour, while the black cardamom has a smoky and vaguely camphor-like flavour. The taste of black cardamom has a coolness that is sometimes likened to that of mint, but both the forms of cardamom are used for the purpose of adding flavour to foods and drinks.

Can you eat black cardamom pods?

People may use cardamom seeds and pods in curries, desserts, and meat dishes, as well as in beverages, such as coffee and chai tea. People may also take cardamom as a supplement for its health benefits. Cardamom contains phytochemicals that have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties.

What is black cardamom called in English?

Amomum subulatum, also known as Black cardamom, hill cardamom, Bengal cardamom, greater cardamom, Indian cardamom, Nepal cardamom, winged cardamom, big cardamon, or brown cardamom, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the family Zingiberaceae.

What does black cardamom do for you?

Black cardamoms help stimulate gastric and intestinal glands. They help secrete stomach juices that promote digestion. This further prevents conditions like gastric ulcers, acidity, et al. The presence of vitamin C, an essential antioxidant, helps improve blood circulation throughout the body.

Which is best green or black cardamom?

Whereas green cardamom contributes a subtle, delicate taste to dishes, black cardamom packs a punch. Unlike green cardamom, which is a popular Scandanavian ingredient, the black variety of this spice is rarely used in sweet dishes due to its strong smokey and menthol flavors.

Can you grind whole black cardamom?

Like green cardamom, you can remove the seeds and use them whole or ground (for a really intense kick), or grind the whole pod.

Is it OK to eat whole cardamom?

Whole pods are best used in recipes with some sort of liquid for the cardamom to infuse. The pods that encase cardamom seeds have little flavor on their own, but they are a handy way to keep the seeds contained. Crushing the pod slightly helps expose the aromatic seeds inside.

How do you use whole black cardamom?

Black cardamom pods can be used in soups, chowders, casseroles and marinades for a smoky flavor. It also goes well in rice puddings, cakes, ginger fig chutney, payasam etc. Black cardamom is also used in preparing garam masala, which is commonly used to flavour Indian curries, snacks and rice preparations too.

How do you eat black cardamom?

How do you grind black cardamom pods?

Simply squeeze the pods and remove the seeds. Place them in the mortar (bowl) and begin to grind the seeds with the pestle. Continue grinding until the seeds are ground down to a fine powder and then proceed with your recipe.

Do you grind the whole cardamom pod or just the seeds?

How to Cook with It: Steep whole pods (lightly crush them to release more flavor) in liquid where flavor can be slowly extracted over time. For greater potency, grind whole pods, and for even more potent flavor, extract the seeds and grind them on their own (the seeds can also be used whole or crushed).

Can you grind whole cardamom pods?

Can you substitute cardamom for black cardamom?

You can use green cardamom as a substitute for black but it lacks the smoky, hot flavor. Don’t use black cardamon as a replacement for green cardamom. Depending on the recipe it may be best just to leave black cardamon out.

Can black cardamom be used in tea?

Black cardamom or Amomum cardamomum offers a smokier flavor that is highlighted by a refreshing aroma and minty notes. Cardamom tea is an herbal tea made from infusing the seeds or cardamom pods in hot water. The tea often features notes of apple and is consumed alongside sweet dishes.

Can I grind whole cardamom pods?

What is black cardamom?

Black cardamom is a popular Indian spice, called badi elaichi or kali elaichi, that is used in many of the cuisine’s signature dishes. It is in the form of seed pods, which are dark brown to black in color and take on a smokey flavor due to the way they are dried.

What is a good substitute for black cardamom?

Although an important spice, black cardamom can either be easily substituted with another spice or omitted from the dish. Best substitutes for black cardamom are: Green cardamom (although lacks the smokiness), star anise, cinnamon and cloves.

What is the difference between Green and black cardamom pods?

Green cardamom pods come from the Elettaria cardamomum plant and are harvested before they mature, while black pods are picked much later and then dried over a fire. In recipes, black cardamom should not be used if a recipe calls for green cardamom as the two pods have extremely different taste profiles.

Where to buy cardamom seeds?

Ground cardamom will be easier to find than the whole pods. Black cardamom pods should be available at Indian food markets, gourmet markets, and very well-stocked grocery stores, while the ground version is often in the supermarket spice aisle.

Categories: Blog