Ceylon Cardamom Green Seed Pods (100g)

Ceylon green seed cardamom, also known as “true cardamom,” is a highly valued spice native to Sri Lanka, historically known as Ceylon. This variety of cardamom is distinguished by its small, green pods containing aromatic seeds, which are used in both culinary and medicinal applications.

### Description

**Appearance:**
– **Pods:** Small, spindle-shaped, and green in color.
– **Seeds:** Tiny, black, and highly aromatic.

**Flavor and Aroma:**
– Ceylon green cardamom has a complex flavor profile that is both sweet and slightly spicy with a distinctive, intense aroma. It is less pungent than other varieties like the black cardamom, making it suitable for both sweet and savory dishes.

**Uses:**
– **Culinary:** Widely used in South Asian cuisine for flavoring curries, rice dishes, sweets, and beverages like tea and coffee.
– **Medicinal:** Traditionally used in Ayurveda for its digestive, respiratory, and detoxifying properties.

### Nutrition Facts

Cardamom is not consumed in large quantities, so its nutritional impact on the diet is usually minimal. However, it is packed with essential nutrients and bioactive compounds when consumed in small amounts.

**Nutritional Content (per 100 grams):**
1. **Calories:** Approximately 311 kcal
2. **Protein:** 10.8 grams
3. **Fat:** 6.7 grams
– Saturated Fat: 0.68 grams
4. **Carbohydrates:** 68.5 grams
– Dietary Fiber: 28 grams
– Sugars: 0.6 grams
5. **Vitamins:**
– Vitamin C: 21 milligrams
– Niacin (Vitamin B3): 1.1 milligrams
6. **Minerals:**
– Calcium: 383 milligrams
– Iron: 13.97 milligrams
– Magnesium: 229 milligrams
– Phosphorus: 178 milligrams
– Potassium: 1119 milligrams
– Zinc: 7.47 milligrams
– Manganese: 28 milligrams

**Phytochemicals and Essential Oils:**
– Rich in volatile oils like cineole, terpinene, and limonene.
– Contains bioactive compounds like flavonoids and terpenes.

### Health Benefits

1. **Digestive Health:**
– Aids in digestion by stimulating the secretion of digestive enzymes.
– Relieves symptoms of indigestion, gas, and bloating.

2. **Antioxidant Properties:**
– High antioxidant content helps in neutralizing free radicals, reducing oxidative stress, and potentially lowering the risk of chronic diseases.

3. **Anti-inflammatory Effects:**
– Compounds in cardamom have anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation in the body.

4. **Respiratory Health:**
– Traditionally used to relieve respiratory conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and cough.

5. **Oral Health:**
– Chewing cardamom seeds is known to improve oral health by fighting bad breath and providing antimicrobial effects against oral pathogens.

6. **Blood Pressure Regulation:**
– High potassium content contributes to maintaining healthy blood pressure levels.

### Culinary Tips

– For maximum flavor, it is best to use whole pods rather than pre-ground cardamom. Crush the pods to release the seeds, which can then be ground fresh.
– Incorporate cardamom into both sweet and savory dishes to enhance flavor complexity.

### Storage

– Store cardamom in an airtight container in a cool, dark place to preserve its flavor and aroma. Whole pods retain their quality longer than ground cardamom.

Ceylon green seed cardamom is not just a flavorful spice but also a nutrient-rich addition to the diet, providing various health benefits.