Green Cardamom Pods (Elaichi)

Green Cardamom Pods (Elaichi)

Green Cardamom Pods (Elaichi) is known to be one of the world’s very ancient spices. It is native to the East originating in the forests of the western ghats in southern India, where this spice is grown in the wild. Today it also grows in Sri Lanka, Guatemala, Indo China, and Tanzania. The ancient Egyptians are known chewing cardamom seeds as a tooth cleaner; the Greeks and Romans used it as a perfume. Vikings came upon Green Cardamom Pods (Elaichi) about one thousand years ago, in Constantinople, and they introduced it into Scandinavia, where it remains popular to this particular day.

It is known to be a stimulant and carminative, Green Cardamom Pods (Elaichi) is not used in Western medicine for its properties, but it forms a flavoring and basis for medicinal preparations for purpose of indigestion and flatulence which shall use as other substances, entering into a synergetic relationship with them.

Benefits:

• It has antioxidant and diuretic properties which might lower blood pressure levels

• It may contain Cancer-Fighting compounds

• It helps in protecting from chronic diseases thanks to anti-inflammatory effects

• Green Cardamom Pods (Elaichi) helps with digestive problems, which includes Ulcers

Uses:

• The pods can be used as whole or they can also be split when cooked in Indian substantial meals including pulses

• Otherwise, the seeds can be bruised and further fried before adding main ingredients to the pan or pounded with some other spices as it is needed. Keep the pods whole until you use it

• The pod itself is neutral in flavor and it is not usually used, imparting an unpleasant bitter flavor when the Green Cardamom Pods (Elaichi) is left in dishes