Cardamom has many different names. Someone compares it with a grain of paradise, someone calls the royal spice, and someone calls it a holy seed. To us, Europeans, cardamom is known as a spice, a seasoning that makes any dish rich in taste, and causes indescribable delight. But the scope of cardamom is not limited only to the kitchen.
- chemical composition
- Types
- Black
- White
- Green
- Useful properties
- Recipes
- therapeutic use
- When
- nausea For colds
- To cleanse
- organism When constipation
- From
- insomnia When frustration
- bowel From
- diarrhea When
- excess weight in the cosmetic facial mask
- Aromaraschesyvanie
- Scrub
- The culinary
- coffee with cardamom tea with cardamom
- Harvesting and storage
- harm and contraindications
chemical composition
cardamom seeds are very concentrated, because they contain a lot of nutrients and vitamins that are beneficial to the human body. In a single seed contains about 8% essential oil, which gives spices an amazing rich taste, and also has medicinal properties. That is why cardamom seeds are used not only in cooking, but also in medicine.
If we talk about the chemical composition of cardamom seeds, then it is multifaceted. Among the useful contained substances is:
- magnesium;
- sodium;
- zinc;
- potassium( in large quantities);
- iron;
- calcium;
- phosphorus.
In addition, complement the useful cocktail vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, Niacin. All these vitamins are called vitamins of beauty, this explains the fact that in ancient times women used cardamom seeds for rejuvenating masks.
The value of cardamom is not exaggerated. It contains a huge amount of carbohydrates, proteins and fiber, and only 6.7 grams of fat.
to contents ^Kinds of
Cardamom is the seeds of the ginger family. Scientists refer cardamom to classical spices. Its birthplace is India and Sri Lanka. But over time this spice spread to other southern regions, so we were able to enjoy different kinds of this beautiful spice. Cardamon is referred to perennials. Fruits ripen already for 3 years, have a pleasant aroma.
Depending on the geographical location, cardamom is subdivided into black, green and white.
to contents ^Black
Widely distributed in Australia, as well as in Asian countries. It has a sharp taste and a rather concentrated smell, as well as a rich brown color. Widely used in the kitchen of the East, especially popular as a flavor additive to coffee and tea. In medicine, black cardamom is used to relieve inflammation and neutralize poisons.
to contents ^White
Widespread in Africa and Madagascar. It has a light brown hue, as well as the familiar smell and very delicate taste. It is used in cooking and perfumery.
to contents ^Green
The most common kind of cardamom. It has a very strong pronounced flavor, since it contains a huge amount of essential oils. Used as a spice. But in order not to overdo it, it's better to use such concentrated spice in small quantities.
to contents ^Useful features
The composition of cardamom includes a huge number of useful components. Thanks to such a combination, seeds can rightly be called valuable. Doctors have long been talking about the fact that cardamom along with medicines can deal with various problems in the body.
When exposed to the human body in one form or another, cardamom seeds
- promote the stimulation of the work of nerve endings;
- will be an excellent tool for fighting diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- are an excellent antibacterial agent;
- have a diaphoretic effect;
- contributes to expectoration in throat diseases;
- is a good diuretic;
- positively affect the functioning of the nervous system, reducing the impact of various stresses, allowing the best way to relieve tension;
- is an excellent aphrodisiac;
- are used in the fight against obesity;
- improve metabolism;
- promote the removal of toxins from the body;
- removes excess fluid from the body;
- are an excellent tonic;
- well reduce pain, so they are rightly considered as an analgesic;
- strengthens the immune system;
- have an antispasmodic effect;
- can be used as a laxative;
- allows you to eliminate flatulence;
- improve appetite, normalize digestion.
Recipes for application
Cardamom is widely distributed not only in medicine, but also in cooking. Its smell and aroma helps to increase appetite, strengthen the musculature of the stomach, fight diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.
Simultaneously, cardamom is a good antiseptic, which helps the stomach to easily cope with consumed food. But in order for the seeds of cardamom to play with all their colors, they must be used only as part of clearly specified recipes.
to the table of contents ^For therapeutic purposes
There are many recipes for cardamom use for medicinal purposes.
to table of contents ^With nausea
In this case it is useful to keep a few cardamom seeds with you. When you have a fit of nausea, you should definitely put a couple of seeds in your mouth and chew. After a few minutes, the condition will improve.
to contents ^With colds
Frequent occurrence of catarrhal diseases indicates the need to strengthen immunity. To do this, it is useful to grind 4-5 seeds of cardamom, add a spoonful of honey to them, and mix. This composition is useful to take every morning before leaving home.
to the table of contents ^To cleanse the body
It is important to periodically cleanse the body so that toxins and harmful substances do not stay in it. To do this, you need to grind the seeds of cardamom, and collect 1 teaspoon. Pour it with a glass of boiling water and leave for half an hour. After this, strain the resulting drink and take it warm for a quarter cup 2 times a day.
For constipation of
Cardamom should be added to food, tea, and also lemonade. It will quickly improve your condition.
to table of contents ^From insomnia
A teaspoon of ground spices should be filled with a glass of warm water, and then brought to a boil. Before going to bed, it is necessary to drink a strained composition in the amount of half a glass.
to table of contents ^For bowel disorder
Grate ginger, crush several cardamom seeds. Brew spices with boiling water, boil and drain. In such a tea, you can add mint or jasmine. Use in a warm form.
to table of contents ^From diarrhea
Ground cardamom mixed with ground dill seeds in equal proportions( 0.5 teaspoon each).This mixture is poured a glass of boiling water, insist for half an hour. Infusion should start taking 1 tablespoon and gradually bring the amount of consumption to a quarter cup.
to contents ^With excess weight
Tea with cardamom, which is taken in the morning and in the evening is able to burn fats. Before this, you need to grind the cardamom and add a few drops of lemon juice to half a teaspoon of spice. Stir the resulting mixture in green tea. Apply in the morning and at bedtime.
to table of contents ^In cosmetic
Cardamom, or otherwise "king of spices" has such a rich composition, which can envy any, even the most expensive face cream. A disinfectant properties can improve the condition of the most problematic skin.
Cardamom can be used not only in face care, but also for hair. If used properly, the hair will shine, and the hair will differ in strength.
to table of contents ^Face Mask
Tablespoon of honey, 0.5 teaspoon of iodized salt, cardamom essential oil in the amount of 5 drops and 2 tablespoons of milk. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly, lightly warm in a water bath until warm. Apply the mask evenly on the face, preferably slightly steamed. After 10 minutes, the product must be washed off.
to the table of contents ^Aromatic cleansing
Cardamom oil can be used for aromatherapy of hair. This procedure will give a density, as well as a healthy and natural shine. This will require a wooden comb or comb with natural bristles. A few drops of cardamom essential oil should be evenly distributed over the ridge or bristles. And begin to gently comb the hair from the tips, gradually rising to the roots. After, massage the scalp. Movements should be neat, not traumatizing the skin.
to contents ^Scrub
Ground cardamom seeds can be used as a scrub. To do this, a pinch of ground spices should be mixed with milk for washing or shower gel. You can also connect cardamom with a tablespoon of honey. The steamed face should be massaged slowly on massage lines. Do not press strongly, so as not to injure the skin. After the procedure, rinse the scrub with warm water and apply a moisturizer to your face.
In culinary
- Cardamom is perfectly combined with black pepper, zira, nutmeg, saffron and cinnamon. That's why this seasoning is perfect if you are cooking meat in the oven. Rub it with a tablespoon of ground cardamom, thereby adding a special sharpness and smell to the meat dish.
- In Germany cardamom together with ginger are integral components of Christmas gingerbread. If you want to give the baking a special taste, try adding a pinch of ground seeds to the dough.
- It is recommended to use only freshly ground cardamom for baking. He will reveal his taste and not be lost after a longing in the oven.
- If spices are used to make salads, then it is better to use dried leaves of the plant.
- In the preparation of rice and vegetable dishes, black cardamom is used.
- Green cardamom is suitable for making sauces.
Coffee with cardamom
To prepare an invigorating drink, you should put 2 teaspoons of Arabica in the coffee grinder. After adding to the coffee, 200 milliliters of water and put in a turkey for a slow fire. When the water becomes warm, add 1/4 of a teaspoon of cardamom seed. Do not bring to a boil to turn off the fire.
to the table of contents ^Tea with cardamom
Tea with "royal spice" is very popular with gourmets. It has a rich taste and helps to relax after a hard working day. In addition, such a tea will fight against colds and will enhance immunity.
Prepare 500 milliliters of hot water. Boil in it a couple of minutes a teaspoon of cardamom seeds. Then pour the water into the teapot by adding a tablespoon of large leaf tea. Infuse tea for 10 minutes, and then enjoy the taste of the drink. With such tea, mint leaves and jasmine petals perfectly match.
to contents ^Procurement and storage of
The first harvest of cardamom can be collected only 3 years after it was planted. Flowering plants occur in the period from January to April. As a rule, fruits can be collected already in early October, not later than December. This is a rather laborious process, because the fruit begins to ripen immediately after flowering and the new ones continue to appear until October-December.
Collect cardamom shortly before it ripens. You can collect fruits both in the inflorescence, and separately. The seeds are dried in the oven with a small fire. Also they can be left in the sun on a hot day.
Dried seeds should be stored in a dry, preferably dark place, without direct sunlight. Excellent, if it is separate from other spices of the bank, tightly closed. In this situation the seeds of cardamom retain their useful flavor properties for the longest time.
to contents ^Harm and contraindications
Despite all its medicinal properties, cardamom can cause serious harm to the body if it is incorrect to apply it in the presence of any diseases.
Take this spice in food prohibited:
- for individual intolerance to the product;
- with peptic ulcer;
- with acute gastritis;
- for children under 12 years;
- for women during pregnancy and lactation.
The rest, most importantly, do not exceed the allowable dosage of the product.