Is This Super Spice The Next Turmeric?
Turmeric has been the go-to spice for years, so much so individuals can order a turmeric latte at countless coffee shops, find it as a supplement at most local pharmacies, or as a ground spice at just about every grocery store there is. Beyond drinking it in a latte or consuming a supplement, turmeric can also be made into curries, smoothies, and countless other dishes. This golden spice has been the focus of many headlines, stating that it fights anything from the flu to depression. However, there is a new spice fighting to take the top spot.
As Medicine
Known as the Queen of Spices, there is nothing subtle about cardamom. With a strong flavor and aroma, hints of mint, smoke, and lemon, it has been widely used in India and surrounding countries for almost five thousand years. This super-spice is a nutritional powerhouse, typically used in the western hemisphere to add flavor to food. However, it is now becoming notorious for its medicinal purposes, including combatting a variety of ailments, counteracting digestive problems, and reducing inflammation in the stomach lining, while calming heartburn and nausea naturally. It also contains high levels of minerals and vitamins such as calcium, magnesium, iron, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C, and can freshen breath as well.
In A Refreshing Iced Beverage
Individuals may want to start their summer days with a metabolism-boosting and anti-inflammatory iced tea made with cardamom. Cardamom tea will not just benefit their health, but it also improves the look of skin and hair. Because of the antioxidant and antibacterial properties in the oil of the seeds, it gives skin a lush, glowing look by boosting blood circulation, while strengthening weakened hair strands and protecting the scalp. Since most of the benefits of cardamom come from its oils, boiling the seeds assists in releasing these essential oils. Simply boil water in a pot, add crushed cardamom seeds, cinnamon sticks, and grated ginger for thirty minutes. Remove and let it cool. Add ice cubes, freshly squeezed lemon, and maple syrup for a sweet kick!
Infuse It In Coffee
Individuals who do not drink tea, thankfully, do not need to worry about missing out on the powers of cardamom in their beverage. Those who drink coffee can rejoice! Coffee with cardamom is a fragrant and rich beverage, and it is incredibly popular in the Middle East, where typically cardamom seeds are ground with the coffee beans. Those who want to try this beverage should begin with one crushed cardamom per cup of coffee and increase the amount to their taste. Individuals can try adding the spice to coffee grounds in a drip machine, french press, or any method they prefer for making coffee. Boiling the cardamom seeds in milk or cream and adding it to coffee works as well.
Add It To Favorite Recipes
Cardamom is a staple in Swedish and Scandinavian baking, so much so, in fact, these countries are two of the most significant consumers of cardamom. Due to its similarities to cinnamon, it is making its way into North American kitchens and restaurants today. So those who want to embrace cardamom as much as possible may now want to make some space for cardamom in their spice drawer because it tastes incredible in countless different baked treats. Individuals can add cardamom to just about anything from sweet breakfasts like french toast and cinnamon rolls to after-dinner treats such as carrot cake and cookies.
As An Essential Oil
Cardamom as an essential oil can provide individuals with quite a lot of health benefits. Since it is a potent antiseptic and antimicrobial, it can be used as a mouthwash if individuals add a few drops of it to water and swish around their mouth. Cardamom works by disinfecting the individual's mouth and ridding it of all germs. Individuals can also diffuse cardamom essential oil to improve breathing, apply it topically to get rid of congestion, or inhale it to promote relaxation and obtain a sense of mental clarity. Cardamom essential oil vitalizes the entire body, and it is this stimulating effect that has been known to boost the spirits of many individuals in cases of depression.