Cardamom ,sometimes cardamon or cardamum, is a spice made from the seeds of several plants in the genera Elettaria and Amomum in the family Zingiberaceae. Both genera are native to the Indian subcontinent and Indonesia. They are recognized by their small seed pods: triangular in cross-section and spindle-shaped, with a thin, papery outer shell and small, black seeds; Elettaria pods are light green and smaller, while Amomum pods are larger and dark brown. Cardamom has a strong, unique taste, with an intensely aromatic, resinous fragrance. Black cardamom has a distinctly smokier, though not bitter, aroma, with a coolness some consider similar to mint.
Both forms of cardamom are used as flavorings and cooking spices in both food and drink, and as a medicine. E. Cardamom (green cardamom) is used as a spice, a masticatory, or is smoked.
Green cardamom is one of the most expensive spices by weight, but little is needed to impart flavor. It is best stored in the pod, as exposed or ground seeds quickly lose their flavor. Grinding the pods and seeds together lowers both the quality and the price.Black Cardamom:
Black Cardamom also known as “Bada Elaichi” (in Hindi) is well defined by the smoky aroma. It is widely used as a flavoring agent like the green cardamom. The black Cardamom is widely used in cooking all the way from India to China and has found its place in a variety of dishes ranging from the erstwhile Biryani to the noodle soup.
Green Cardamom: Green Cardamom is a small seed pod with black seeds in the shell. This is used primarily for flavoring anything from drinking water to a cup of Chai (Indian Tea). It is small in size compared to the other cardamom variety but packs quite a nice aroma inside its pod. The green cardamom is also used in medicine to treat infections of the teeth and the gums.
According to Nair (2011), in the years when India achieves a good crop, it is still less productive than Guatemala. Other notable producers include Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Papua New Guinea, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Specification of Cardamom
Colour - Deep green, fast green
Size - 6, 7, 8 mm or higher
Foreign Matters - 2% basis
Immature Cardamom - 5% by count
Thrips - Nil or 3 by count
Packing - Standard in 1 kg PP bags and 25 / 50 Kg Jute Bags with HDPE or PP Inner Lining or as per customer requirements
Cardamom production's demand and supply patterns of trade are influenced by price movements, nationally and internationally, in 5 to 6-year cycles. Importing leaders mentioned are Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, while other significant importers include Germany, Iran, Japan, Jordan, Pakistan, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, the UK, and the former USSR. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, 80 percent of cardamom's total consumption occurs in the Middle East.