Amazing Facts About Cardamom

  • Cardamom is one of the world’s most exotic spices - alongwith Saffron and Vanilla.

  • Cardamom belongs to the same botanical family as ginger and turmeric.

  • Cardamom is also one of the world’s oldest spices – cultivated for more than 4000 years. It was popular in the ancient civilisations of Rome, Egypt and Greece.

  • The earliest references of cardamom were in ancient Sanskrit texts and the ancient Sumer civilization (in modern day Iraq).

  • Cardamom is the ‘Doctor of Spices’. Its amazing medicinal properties are useful in alleviating several health issues.

  • Cardamom accounts for 3% of the total global spice trade.

  • Cardamom is a universally popular spice. It is widely employed in Indian, Middle Eastern, Arabic, and Swedish cuisine.

  • Green Cardamom likely has its origins in southwest India. There is even a range called Cardamom Hills here.

  • Ancient people believed cardamom had supernatural powers and that it could drive out evil spirits.

  • According to Chinese tradition, the consumption of cardamom tea is the secret to long life.

 

Cardamom around the world:

  • Hindi: Elaichi

  • French: Cardamome

  • German: Kardamom

  • Italian: Cardamomo

  • Latin: Amomum

  • Finnish: Kardemumma

  • Turkish: Kakule

  • Hawaiian: Kaleka Kaleka

  • Malay: Buah Pelaga

  • Vietnamese: Thao Qua

  • Zulu: Ikhadiamom

Amazing Facts About Cardamom