Green Cardamom (Elettaria cardamommum)

Known as the Queen of Spices, this is the true Cardamom native to southern India. Related to the ginger family, the leaves are long and lance shaped and flowers arise from the base of the plant. The flowers are white with purple veining and when mature, they produce the three-sided pods that are filled with small aromatic seeds. The seeds impart the wonderful flavor found in masala chai tea and many Indian curries and sweets. Cardamom has been used in natural medicine to calm an upset stomach. Cardamom thrives in tropical climates in moist, rich soil. It usually takes about 2 years before it starts fruiting.