The first references to cardamom are found in Sumer, and in the Ayurvedic literatures of India. Nowadays it is also cultivated in Guatemala, Malaysia, and Tanzania.
When did cardamom originate?
This distant relative of ginger appears to have originated in the Kerala Hills in the Western Ghats of southern India, and references to it in ancient Sanskrit texts date back five thousand years to the Late Vedic period.
Who is the founder of cardamom?
The Greeks and Romans used Cardamom for its pungent aroma. It was a main ingredient in perfumes and aromatic oils. Vikings first discovered this spice during their travels and brought it back to Scandinavia. Cardamom originally came from wild plants located in the Western Ghats in Southern India.
Which country is famous for cardamom?
Nepal is the world’s largest producer of large cardamom. Other countries where this cultivar is produced are India and Bhutan.
How did cardamom come to India?
Traders from Babylonians, Mesopotamians, and Assyrian had great maritime trade relations with the Malabar coast where cardamom trade was very prominent during different phases of ancient business.
Why cardamom is called Queen of spices?
Cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum, is called the Queen of Spices because of its many uses as a medicine and as a flavoring in food and drink. It is an important ingredient in Indian cooking and in Scandinavian baking. And– it is the third most expensive spice in the world.
Why is cardamom so popular in Sweden?
The people whom Scandinavians may need to thank for their cardamom traditions could be the Moors. The conventional history behind the arrival of cardamom in Scandinavia typically points to the Vikings, who allegedly introduced the spice to the region after trading with the Byzantine Empire in what is now Turkey.
Who is the queen of spices?
cardamom
Hailed as the ‘Queen of Spices,’ cardamom is one of the most expensive spices on the planet.
What is the Indian name of cardamom?
Elaichi
Elaichi – Cardamom. Ajwain – Caram seeds or Celery seeds. Dalchini – Cinnamon.
Is there another name for cardamom?
In this page you can discover 15 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for cardamom, like: cardamon, Elettaria cardamomum, cardamum, passion-fruit, allspice, caraway-seeds, coconut, pimento, turmeric, sesame-seeds and cumin.
Which is the best cardamom in the world?
The most common species, Elettaria cardamomum or small cardamom is by far best in terms of quality.
Who is largest producer of cardamom?
Market Overview
Guatemala was the leading producer of cardamom, which accounted for more than 55% of the global production in 2019. Asian countries such as Indonesia, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka are also some of the other major producers of cardamom.
Which country produces largest cardamom?
Production Trends of Top 10 Producers of Whole Cardamom
| Country | Production % | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Global | |
| 2 | Indonesia | 29.44% |
| 3 | India | 28.51% |
Which is king of spices?
Black Pepper
Black Pepper is considered the ‘king of spices’ and rightfully so. Unlike its perennial companion, salt, which is easily available in any nook and corner of the world, the black pepper owes its origins to Kerala – a state in South India.
Which spice is known as black gold?
black pepper
In fact, black pepper was so coveted in the Ancient World that it was known by merchants as “black gold”. The global popularity of pepper followed the rise of the Roman Empire. The Romans brought pepper from the East to the western shores of continental Europe to use as an exotic, if expensive, spice.
Why is Indian cardamom is unique?
Expert-verified answer
(a)Indian cardamom is unique because it requires warm humid climate, loamy soil rich in organic matter, distributed rainfall, special cultivation and processing methods. (b) The Mysore quality of cardamom is unique as it contains higher levels of cineol and limonene and is more aromatic.
What is the most expensive spice?
saffron
Most expensive spice
Across the world, saffron is used in products ranging from food to medicine and cosmetics. A kilogram (2.2 pounds) requires the stigmas of about 150,000 flowers and can easily sell for $3,000-$4,000.
What is the health benefit of cardamom?
It may lower blood pressure, improve breathing and aid weight loss. What’s more, animal and test-tube studies show that cardamom may help fight tumors, improve anxiety, fight bacteria and protect your liver, though the evidence in these cases is less strong.
How expensive is cardamom?
Green cardamom is the third most expensive spice in the world, after saffron and vanilla. Just 100 grams of the spice can cost about $9. That’s about $90 for a kilogram. But getting that little bit of cardamom requires a lot of work.
Why do Norwegians use cardamom?
Serra speculates that perhaps the reason why cardamom and other spices stuck in the Scandinavian region is because of geography. Serra describes Scandinavia as being “on the fringes of the continent” and therefore “clung” to medieval food longer than the rest of Europe (Miltner).
How did Finland get cardamom?
Swedish cookbook author Johanna Kindvall says that many Swedes believe the Vikings brought cardamom to Scandinavia, having encountered the spice in the bazaars of Constantinople (today’s Istanbul) about 1,000 years ago.
Lorraine Wade is all about natural food. She loves to cook and bake, and she’s always experimenting with new recipes. Her friends and family are the lucky beneficiaries of her culinary skills! Lorraine also enjoys hiking and exploring nature. She’s a friendly person who loves to chat with others, and she’s always looking for ways to help out in her community.