Flavor: Eucalyptus/Citrusy/Floral
Major Flavour Compound: Cineole
Parts Used: Whole pods containing seeds
“An intensely aromatic seed pod prized for sweet and citrusy complexity.”
Green cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) is a highly aromatic perennial of the ginger family, often called the “queen of spices.” Its flavor is sweet, minty, and penetrating, driven mainly by cineole, with citrus and floral notes from limonene and linalool. Native to southern India and Sri Lanka, it has been used for over 2,000 years and spread widely via ancient trade, reaching Scandinavia through Viking contact. Today Guatemala is the largest producer. For best flavor, pods should be lightly crushed and cooked with fat to release and carry their volatile oils.
