Cardamom

Variety of plants form the similar genres denoted with cardamoms is part of the ginger family of Elettaria, Amomum and Zingiberaceae. It is known for being one of the most popular spices found in countries like India, Nepal, Pakistan and Bhutan where common usage is in the form of spice and medicinal uses. Usually small seed pods of cardamoms are usable. Those in triangular cross-section shape look like spindles. Outer layers of cardamoms are thin papery as an external shell with small black seeds used for the multiple purposes.

Cardamoms are available in two varieties differentiated through their colors of light green and dark brown. They are scientifically denoted with the Elettaria pods and Amomum pods respectively. They are also commonly known in the world for being the costliest spice in terms of weight.

Cardamom Production in India

India comes at 2nd position as far as cardamom production is concerned. Guatemala is World's largest cardamom producer. This product is also produced in the India's nearby countries like Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Nepal. Elettaria pods are usually light green products but Amomum pods are larger in size and dark brown colored items. Cardamoms are aromatic plants in India. As it comes from Elettaria genre, it is also called ilaichi in local terminologies in India. It is also famous by regional names like elakki in Kannada, yelakulu in Telugu, elakkai in Tamil and elakkay in Malayalam language respectively.

Indian cardamoms are common green and black colored products supplied in whole country and so are they exported to the rest countries in Asia and other continents. India supplies finest Elettaria or green cardamom to Malaysia and nearby regions. Black and brown cardamoms, also called Amomum has equal popularity in the Indian subcontinent. It is usually supplied into other Asian and Australian regions.

These items are commonly denoted with regional names Java cardamom, Bengal cardamom, Siamese cardamom and white cardamom amongst others. Some Indian varieties of cardamoms had been brought to India from Greece and northern Persia in the ancient era. Good number of these spices has origination in India today.

Methods of Growing Cardamom

High-quality ground cardamom seeds are produced easily in the south Indian soils that suit for their productions. It needs ample waterfall and moderate environment to cultivate cardamom spices. It is supplied into every nook and corner of country easily. Most households in India use cardamoms in the cooking ingredients. Grown easily in India cardamoms are used to prepare some famous traditional and modern South Asian sweets. It is a common practice because of easy productivity of green cardamoms in the country. It is used in variety of ways including use in traditional medication purposes. Cardamom is produced in India in well planned manner.

Cardamoms Growing States in India and Best Season

South Indian states of Kerala and Karnataka are the two key cardamom producers in India. The three natural green cardamom plant varieties are produced in Malabar region in Kerala. Mysore and nearby regions in Karnataka are the suitable places for cardamom varieties. White flowered vazhuka green cardamom is usually produced in Idukki district in Kerala. Many hybrid cardamom varieties are now produced in these India states. Take for example white flowered Vazhuka category green cardamom produced in Kerala.

Cardamoms are widely used in the Indian subcontinent to prepare the varieties of products. Mainly they are brought into use to add flavor in food and drink products besides their common usage in the form of cooking spices and for the medicinal purpose. Such practices are common these days.

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