Grass Cardamom

Grass Cardamom usually refers to Elettaria cardamomum, commonly known as green cardamom, but sometimes the term “grass cardamom” is used to highlight its natural, grassy, and fresh aroma that distinguishes it from other cardamom varieties.

🌿 What Is Grass Cardamom?

• Botanical name: Elettaria cardamomum

• Common names: Green cardamom, true cardamom, sometimes called “grass cardamom” for its fresh, herbal notes

• Plant family: Zingiberaceae (ginger family)

• Part used: The small, green seed pods and the seeds inside

🌱 Flavor and Aroma:

• Bright, fresh, and slightly sweet with a cool, herbal, grassy undertone

• Complex and aromatic with hints of citrus, eucalyptus, and mint

• Milder and fresher than black or white cardamom varieties

🍽️ Culinary Uses:

• Widely used in Indian, Middle Eastern, and Scandinavian cooking

• Added to chai teas, curries, rice dishes (like biryani), sweets, and desserts

• Often used whole in savory dishes or ground for baking and spice blends

💊 Health Benefits:

• Known for aiding digestion and relieving gas

• Antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties

• Used in traditional medicine to freshen breath and support respiratory health

🌿 How It Differs from Other Cardamoms: