The king of Spices -- Cademom plants

by Hem Bhandari
(Mumbai , India)

The nature has given us innumerable kinds of plants,and their produces,for our consumption/utilization in

different manners, in our day to day lives.

In this excursion I had visited a Spice Garden,which was the first time for me to get acquainted to plants of different spices.We,all come across spices as consumers
or buyers,but very few of us,are well versed with the botanical aspect of spices,primarily due to the fact it is a very specific type of vegetation, prevalent in only limited parts of the world.

In this Spice garden,what attracted me was Cardemom of all the spices,which
were planted there.Its plants,green fruits,flowers,I had never seen before.Very curious to know about it I had too many queries with the garden guide.Here is what all I gathered after that exciting visit.

Few photographs showing Cardemom plantation,bushy fruit growth at ground level only,unique flower and of course the most importantly Cardemom as a wonderful Spice.

Some interesting information about Cardemom to share with the readers;

It is cultivated & consumed in 2 forms, namely;

1. Green CardemomBotanically called "Elettaria"

2. Black CardemomBotanically known as "Amomum"

Both types are used as flavourings in food & drinks,as cooking spices and also as a medicine.

Food & Drink:

with its strong & unique taste,its an important
ingredient of spices used in South Asian & South East Asian Countries,where these spices are cultivated in plenty.In Nordic Countries,such as in Finland,it is used in their sweet bread "pulla" and in Scandinevian bread "julekake".

Traditional Medicines:

Green Cardemom is broadly used in South Asia to treat infection in teeth & gums to prevent & treat throat troubles,congestions and pulmonary tuberculosis.It is also used to break the kidney stones and was reportedly used as an antidote for both snake and scorpion venom.

With all these wonderful features,it truly deserves to be accepted as "The king of Spices".

I do hope the readers will enjoy pleasure of making a visit to a Spice Garden,whenever they find an opportunity & its taste of course is admired universally.

Best Wishes