Cardamom: health benefits and exotic flavor for recipes

The name may not sound familiar, but cardamom is often used in many sweet and savory recipes, providing a pleasant scent and a very peculiar flavor to foods.

The remarkable flavor of cardamom, in fact, can be summarized as a mixture of spicy and sweet. And it’s the seeds that are used in cooking. But it is also possible to find cardamom powder.

In addition, the spice is widely used in traditional oriental medicines, especially known for treating digestive problems. But, this is not the only health benefit cardamom offers. Learn more about the condiment and check out how to include it in your diet!

origin of cardamom

Cardamom is a plant originally from India, scientific name Elettaria cardamomum. Sandra da Silva Maria, functional clinical nutritionist at the Clínica Gastro Obeso Center, explains that the plant belongs to the same family as ginger (Zingiberaceae) and even has an aroma and flavor similar to ginger. “It was first used in the mid-700s AD, and was imported to Europe in 1200,” she says.

The nutritionist explains that cardamom is a “pod filled with sweet seeds” – and it is these seeds that are used in the kitchen.

9 health benefits of cardamom

More than just a cooking ingredient, cardamom can offer incredible health benefits:

1. Combating constipation: Sandra explains that cardamom offers around 300 calories in a 100-gram portion and has a high fiber content – ​​which helps with intestinal peristalsis (intestinal movement to push the food bolus), improving constipation (constipation) and bloating.

2. Satiety: the nutritionist highlights that, as a source of fiber, cardamom also helps to provide satiety, helping to treat obesity.

3. Source of nutrients: Sandra explains that cardamom contains fats and minerals such as sodium, potassium, iron, calcium and magnesium, B vitamins, vitamin A and C, thus being beneficial for health as a whole.

4. Rich in photochemicals: for this reason, highlights Sandra, cardamom can help in the treatment of some types of cancer.

5. Improved blood circulation: because it has this characteristic of improving blood circulation, explains the nutritionist, cardamom is even considered a potent aphrodisiac.

6. Ulcer prevention: Sandra explains that cardamom seed helps to fight the H. pylori bacteria, thus preventing ulcer. And, because it has soothing properties, it helps relieve the pain caused by gastritis. Cardamom is still widely used to combat digestive problems in general.

7. Fight against halitosis: the nutritionist comments that, by chewing cardamom seeds, it is also possible to prevent halitosis (bad breath).

8. Hair beauty ally: Sandra explains that the oil from cardamom seeds, when used on the hair, improves the hair’s hydration, strengthening the roots and reducing dandruff.

9. Versatility in the kitchen: the nutritionist points out that cardamom is generally used in sweet dishes, desserts or cakes and breads, or as a component of marinades for meats and to season rice.

There are plenty of good reasons to include cardamom in your recipes, right?

types of cardamom

Cardamom can be divided into three main species, as highlighted by Sandra:

• Elettaria subulatum: It is known as green cardamom, distributed from India to Malaysia. “Used as a spice and as a masticatory (to chew), it can be used to treat gum infections, prevent pharyngitis, pulmonary congestion, tuberculosis and digestive problems”, highlights the nutritionist.
• Amomum: is also known as kravan, cardamom-de-java, cardamom-de-bengal, among other denominations. “It has its main distribution area in Asia and Australia, and is used as a medicinal plant for stomach pains and other digestive problems, colds and diarrhea”, explains Sandra.
• Aframomum (or Madagascar cardamom): species that exists mainly in Africa and Madagascar and is used as a spice.

In general, explains the nutritionist, all types of cardamom have medicinal uses and are used as a spice.

Recipes with cardamom: prepare amazing delights with this spice

Cardamom can be used in both savory and sweet recipes. It goes well, for example, with poultry, red meat, fish, grains (such as rice and chickpeas), it can be used in the preparation of breads, sweets, cookies and much more. Get inspired by good recipes:

savory recipes

1. Rye bread with coconut milk, lemon zest and cardamom: recipe that leaves the house with an incredible perfume. In addition, the bread is very tasty, aromatic and fluffy. The mixture of cardamom with coconut and lemon zest provides a series of different flavors on the palate.

2. Buns with cardamom and cinnamon: the official name of this recipe is Kanelbullar, which are Swedish sweets made with cardamom and cinnamon. The preparation can be a little laborious and requires several ingredients, but the result is definitely worth it!

3. Blackberry jam with cardamom: an exotic combination, delicious and smooth. The preparation of the recipe, in general, is very simple, the only “challenge” is to remove the stems from the blackberries without crushing them (since they are very delicate).

4. Grilled chicken with cardamom and thyme: who said grilled chicken always had to be “basic”?! Cardamom, used in the marinade, gives a very special touch to this dish, which, moreover, has no secrets to prepare!

5. Pumpkin cream with cardamom and ginger: it is, in fact, a puree that uses only vegetable and pumpkin broth. Despite being a vegan recipe, it is sure to please all palates. Great option for cooler days.

6. Coffee and cardamom risotto: a simple dish to make, but somewhat exotic to taste. The combination can cause some strangeness, but the result is a harmonic risotto that can accompany meat very well. The use of Parmesan cheese is essential in the recipe!

7. Yam soup with cardamom: great option for a little dinner in winter. You will only use yams, water, olive oil, garlic, cardamom, parsley, salt, pepper and Brazil nuts. It is worth remembering that cardamom has a very intense flavor, so those who prefer can reduce the amount used in the recipe.

sweet recipes

8. Mini coconut and cardamom pudding: a different, tasty and light dessert. It’s worth making at home when you’re having visitors and, who knows, even serving on special occasions. You will need coconut milk, eggs, sugar, ground or seeded cardamom, lychees and pistachios to decorate.

9. Pear cake with cardamom and almonds: a different and full of flavor cake, perfect to be made on a rainy weekend or any other time. The income is for eight people and the result is a beautiful cake!

10. Dates and cardamom truffles: a good option for those who have reduced or cut out sugar in their diet, as this different version of truffles does not contain any of this ingredient… The slightly sweet taste is due to the dates. So, for those who like very sweet desserts, this is definitely not the best option.

11. Cornmeal Sequilho with Cardamom: a gluten-free and dairy-free recipe. Good choice for an afternoon snack with a black coffee. This version of the classic cornmeal cookie is even more fragrant and very easy to make.

12. Cardamom orange biscuits: the preparation is very simple and you will only use wheat flour, cold unsalted butter, granulated or brown sugar, cardamom, eggs, zest and orange juice. The yield is 60 cookies, that is, you can serve the whole family!

13. Rice pudding with cardamom and vanilla bean: rice pudding is undoubtedly one of the most affectionate and simple desserts. A characteristic of this sweet is its versatility, and it can be enhanced with ingredients such as cinnamon, cloves and, in this case, cardamom and vanilla bean. The version is very tasty and aromatic.

14. Coffee, vanilla and cardamom brigadeiro: the preparation is very similar to that of a traditional brigadeiro. The recipe is made only with instant coffee, cardamom seeds, vanilla pods, condensed milk and butter. To finish, the tip is to spread the brigadeiro in cocoa, chocolate granules or ground almonds.

15. White hot chocolate flavored with cardamom: great suggestion for those who love hot chocolate, but like to vary their recipes! In this version, you’ll use whole milk, fresh cream or cream, cardamom seeds, vanilla extract, white chocolate, whiskey or cognac, and semisweet chocolate to decorate.

Versatility and a special touch for your dishes or desserts? That’s what cardamom offers for your kitchen!

Contraindications and warnings about consumption

Overall, cardamom consumption is safe and contraindicated only for pregnant and lactating women.

However, as the spice has a strong flavor, it can cause reactions such as vomiting in some people. In this case, the ideal is to suspend the use of the ingredient.

Now you know the particularities of cardamom, its health benefits and you know how to use it in the most varied recipes!

The information contained on this page is for informational purposes only. They do not replace the advice and follow-up of doctors, nutritionists, psychologists, physical education professionals and other specialists.