Cardamom, Ceylon cardamom
It is a tropical plant. It grows from sea level up to about 1,800 m altitude in the tropics. In PNG it is mostly between 550-1,700 m above sea level. It prefers warm, rich, moist soils. It needs a protected and partly shaded position. It is drought and frost tender. Seed need a temperature between 19 and 24°C to grow. Plants need a temperature above 10°C. It suits hardiness zones 10-12.
Also known as:
Bai dou kou, Buah pelaga, Cardamone, Choti-elachi, Ela, Elach, Elaichi, Elchi, Ella-kai, Enasal, Ensal, Hai, Ilaayaci, Illaichi, Kapulaga, Karadamungu, Kardemon, Krakao sbat, Kravan, Luk grawan, Luk kravan, Pai-tou-k'ou, Periyayalum, Phalazee, Phalar-phyu, Phalar-yaing, Upakunchika, Veldode, Xiao dou kou, Yelak-kayalu, Yelakkai, Yelakki, Yelam
Synonyms
- Alpinia cardamomum (L.) Roxb.
- Amomum cardamomum L.
- Amomum ensal Raeusch.
- Amomum racemosum Lam.
- Amomum repens Sonn.
- Amomum uncinatum Stokes
- Cardamomum malabaricum Pritz.
- Cardamomum minus (Gaertn.) Puntze
- Cardamomum officinale Salisb.
- Cardamomum verum Oken
- Elletaria cardamomum var. minus Watt
- Elettaria cardamomum var. minuscula Burkill
- Matonia cardamomum (L.) Stephenson & J. M. Churchill
- Zingiber minus Gaertn.
Edible Portion
- Fruit, Herb, Spice, Seeds, Leaves
Where does Cardamom grow?
Found in: Africa, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bougainville, Cambodia, Central America, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, East Africa, East Timor, Fiji, Ghana, Guatemala, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, North America, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, United States, Vietnam, West Africa
Notes: There are 7 Elettaria species.
Status: It is being grown commercially in some lowland areas of Papua New Guinea.
Growing Cardamom, Ceylon cardamom
Cultivation: Plants can be grown from seed. It is normally grown under the shade of the primary rainforest. Seeds are slow to germinate. It can be grown from slips of plants.
Edible Uses: The seeds are used as a flavouring. They are used in biscuits and cakes. It is also used in curries and added to coffee. The seeds are chewed after meals to sweeten the breath. The young shoots are eaten raw or steamed or roasted. Leaves are used for wrapping foods before cooking. The seeds are used in cakes.
Production: The capsules are harvested when they are almost ripe but before they turn yellow. They are then dried in a warmed and ventilated shed.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seed | 312 | 10.8 | 14 | 0 | 21 | 7.5 | 8.3 |
Cardamom, Ceylon cardamom Photos
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