Paprika

Black cardamom

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Black cardamom (also known as brown cardamom, elaichi, thảo quả and tsao-ko) is a plant in the family Zingiberaceae. Its seed pods have a strong camphor-like flavor, with a smoky character derived from the method of drying.

Characteristics

The pods are used as a spice, in a manner similar to the green Indian cardamom pods, but those have a drastically different flavor. Unlike green cardamom, this spice is rarely used in sweet dishes. Its smoky flavor and aroma derive from traditional methods of drying over open flames.

Species

There are at least two distinct species of black cardamom: Amomum subulatum (also known as Nepal cardamom) and Amomum costatum or A. tsao-ko. The pods of A. subulatum, used primarily in the cuisines of India, are the smaller of the two, while the larger pods of A. costatum (Chinese: wiktionary:草果; pinyin: cǎoguǒ; Vietnamese: thảo quả) are used in Chinese cuisine, particularly that of Sichuan; and Vietnamese cuisine.

Culinary uses

A commercial pack of black cardamom

Black cardamom pods can be used in soups, chowders, casseroles, and marinades for smoky flavor, much in the way bacon is used.

In India and Pakistan

In India and Pakistan, black cardamom seeds are often an important component of the Indo-Pak spice mixture garam masala. Black cardamom is also commonly used in savory dal and rice dishes. In Tamil it is called as Maratti mokku (மராட்டி மொக்கு). In Manipuri, it is called Elaichi Achouba. In India and Pakistan this is used in making traditional tea(chai)

In China

In China, the pods are used for long-braised meat dishes, particularly in the cuisine of the central-western province of Sichuan.

In Vietnam

The pods are also often used in Vietnam, where they are called thảo quả and used as an ingredient in the broth for the noodle soup called phở.

Attention

Black cardamom is often erroneously described as an inferior substitute for green cardamom by those who are unfamiliar with the spice. Although the flavor differs from the more common green cardamom, black cardamom is sometimes used by large-scale commercial bakers because of its relative cheapness.

Distribution

The largest producer of the black cardamom is Nepal followed by India and Bhutan.

Medicinal uses

In Chinese medicine, tsao-ko is used to treat stomach disorders and malaria.

Warning

Packages warn not to eat the product uncooked or as a snack food.

In Manipur, the seed is used in the treatment of cough, vomiting, enlarged spleen and diseases of rectum.

References

See also

• Cardamom

External links

• Black cardamom page from Gernot Katzer's Spice Pages
• Cardamom page from The Spice House website

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