Cardamom, an intensely aromatic, gingery spice is perfect for use in autumn. Use it in any pumpkin recipe, or when you mull some fresh apple cider, or simply when you want to fill your home with the smell of autumn spices. Here are a few fun facts and recipes that debut this wonderful and too often overlooked spice.
…there are two main types of cardamom; Elettaria, or green cardamom, and Amomum or black cardamom
…both types of cardamom are used in drinks and food and as a cooking spice an medicine
…in Asia, green cardamom is used to treat infections in the teeth and gums
…it is one of the worlds very ancient spices
…it is thought to have originated in Southern India and also grows in Sri Lanka, Guatemala, Indo China and Tanzania
…green cardamom is considered “true cardamom” and is an expensive spice, second only to saffron
…the Vikings came upon cardamom about one thousand years ago, in Constantinople, and introduced it into Scandinavia, where it remains popular to this day
…the ancient Egyptians chewed cardamom seeds as a tooth cleaner; the Greeks and Romans used it as a perfume
more about cardamom here and here (order it too!)
a few recipes to use cardamom in:
pumpkin chocolate chip cookies
pumpkin cardamom rolls
homemade potpourri
cardamom honey chicken
