Cardamom Pods

Cardamom pods are the aromatic seed capsules of Elettaria cardamomum, an Indian plant native to Ayurvedic traditions and cuisines worldwide. Cardamom has been prized for centuries as the "queen of spices," both for its flavour and for use in herbal infusions. The pods hold small black seeds that when crushed or brewed release a warm, sweet-spicy fragrance. Cardamom pods are used whole or lightly cracked in tea to impart character to hot water. They're used in traditional chai blends and go well with black tea, ginger, cinnamon and clove. Cardamom pods alone make a mild, herbal infusion that contains no caffeine. In addition to flavor, cardamom is traditionally used for digestion and post-meal refreshment and is usually drunk with food after meals to settle the stomach and refresh the palate. This versatile tea is good in traditional spiced teas and modern herbal blends - hot or chilled. Warm, sweet & slightly citrusy. Subtle eucalyptus-like freshness Mild spice with a long finish. Ingredients Whole green cardamom pods Botanical name: Elettaria cardamomum Caffeine level Naturally caffeine-free How to brew Western style: 2 lightly crushed pods per cup. 95degC water Steep 5-10 minutes Gongfu style: 3-5 pods per small teapot. Short steeps of 20-40 seconds, multiple infusions. Iced / Cold brew: 4-6 pods per litre Refrigerate 6-12 hours When to drink After meals In the evening, for a mellow infusion. At any time, as a refreshing, aromatic tea. Health benefits The bioactive compounds in cardamom include cineole and terpinyl acetate which have been investigated for digestion and antimicrobial activity. Could help with digestion and reduce bloating. //pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24833896/ It contains compounds that fight oxidative stress. //www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4003706/ May enhance oral freshness and/or antimicrobial activity. //pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23387397/ Health-related notes Supports digestion - usually used for comfort. It is often added to warming herbal blends. Ayurveda and traditional herbal practices use this herb. Cautionary Consume moderately during pregnancy. May interact with some medications - consult your healthcare professional if in doubt. Storage 1and1 shelf life Store in a cool, dry place away from light in an airtight container. When stored properly, cardamom pods will keep quality for 4 years. Quick FAQs So what are cardamom pods? They are seed capsules of a spice plant used to flavour teas and foods. Should they be crushed before brewing? Light crushing releases more flavor, but whole pods are also fine. Is cardamom tea spicy? You get some mild spice without the heat. Do I add other teas to it? Yes - it goes well with black tea and chai blends. May I reuse the pods? You can re-steep once or twice but flavour will be lighter.