Black Cardamom from India
We deal in Best Quality Black Cardamom from India
Dealing with any Food Product requires strict adherence to hygiene and safety norms as any mistake can cause bring serious threats to human lives. The spices are also not different from other food products. Cares require from the field itself while sowing seeds. COHERE provides Black Cardamom and a Few more Spices Clean, high in Quality, and free from any Harmful substances. We deal with a selective variety of Spices grown in the Northeast, like LARGE CARDAMOM (Black Cardamom), TURMERIC, GINGER, Exotic Chilies, and some ORGANIC SPICES.
History and Origin of Black or Large Cardamom
Large cardamom (Amomum subulatum Roxb.), a member of the family, Zingiberaceae (ginger) under the order Scitaminae is the main cash crop cultivated in the mountainous area from the Himalayas to Southern China. The main production regions are Eastern Nepal, India, and Bhutan. More than 50 percent of the world’s harvest is produced in India in the state of Sikkim and the Darjeeling district of West Bengal. Capsules are used as spices. The Indian name for black cardamom is badi elaichi or kali elaichi. Roughly one inch in length, the pods are dark brown to black and have tough, dried, wrinkly skin. Cardamom is the world’s third-most expensive spice, surpassed in price per weight only by vanilla and saffron. In domestic markets only two grades viz., Chhota dana (small capsules) and bada dana (bold capsules) are available, without any specification. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BSI) has standardized quality specifications for large cardamom.
Taste Profile: Black Cardamom
Black cardamom is dried over an open fire and has a distinct smoky aroma and flavor. The pods are highly aromatic but not as much as green cardamom. In recipes, black cardamom should not be used if a recipe calls for green cardamom. The two pods have extremely different taste profiles. Unlike green cardamom, the black variety of this spice is rarely used in sweet dishes.
Black cardamom has notes of resin and camphor, as well as menthol, slightly minty aroma that provides balance to an otherwise funky flavor. These intense, heady notes put black cardamom in the “warming” spice category, along with black pepper, cloves, and chilies.
Grading and quality standards of Black Cardamom
Finished large cardamom capsules are commercially graded in local markets as bada dana (big capsules) or Chota dana (small capsules) and, sometimes more traditionally, as kainchi-cut (capsule tail removed) or non-kainchi-cut (capsule tail intact). The difference in capsule size may be due to cultivar differences or pre-harvest conditions.
Sr. No. | Grade Name | Capsules Specification (width) | Remarks |
1 | Extra bold hand pick/ Bada Dana
| > 1.5 cm | Capsule retained in 1.5 cm Sieve |
2 | Medium bold tail cut | > 1.4–< 1.5 cm | Capsule retained in 1.4 cm but passed through 1.5 cm Sieve |
3 | Medium tail cut | > 1.3–< 1.4 cm | Capsule retained in 1.3 cm but passed through 1.4 cm Sieve |
4 | Small/ Chhota tail cut | > 1.2–< 1.3 cm | Capsule retained in 1.2 cm sieve but passed through 1.3 cm sieve |
5 | Pan variety or Pan dana tail cut | < 1.2 cm | Capsule passed through 1.2 cm sieve |
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS 1999) has established quality standards for large cardamom capsules under the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act of 1954. Some importing countries strictly follow these standards while importing. The specifications are mentioned in the Table below:
Specifications of Black Cardamom
SPECIFICATIONS | Special Quality BIG | Standard Quality BIG |
Organic Extraneous Matter | 0.8 % Max | 4 % Max |
Inorganic Extraneous Matter | 0.2 % Max | 1 % Max |
Immature Shriveled & Insect Damaged Capsules | 3 % Max | 5 % Max |
Empty and Malformed Capsules | 5 % Max | 8 % Max |
Mass in g/l | 350 g/l Min | 300 g/l Min |
Moisture | 12 % Max | 12 % Max |
Total Ash | 8 % Max | 8 % Max |
Acid Insoluble Ash | 2 % Max | 2 % Max |
Volatile Oil (ml / 100gm) | 2 % Min | 1 % Min |
Uses of Black Cardamom
Black cardamom is one of the key ingredients of India’s famous aromatic garam masala spice mixture. It is largely used in savory dishes ranging from curries, stews, and lentil (daal) dishes to pilaffs, in Indian, Arabic, and Middle-Eastern cooking. It is mostly used as a whole spice and sometimes maybe fried in a little oil to cause it to exploit the release of its flavors and aroma fully.
Black cardamom is a perennial herb. Apart from the aromatic spice, it contains numerous health benefits too. For example, chewing a few seeds of cardamom can help increase your appetite. Black cardamom oil can be used for massages to get rid of mental or emotional stress. Its oil also helps to curb acute pain like a headache. Black cardamom seeds that way provide many health benefits, including for the body, skin, and hair.
We briefly discuss the health benefits of Black Cardamom below.
- Black cardamom provides respiratory relief: Black cardamom is a natural remedy for respiratory problems. You can combat asthma, cold, cough, and bronchitis with these black pods.
- Black cardamom improves dental health: Black cardamom contains a strong aromatic flavor and can fight dental disorders such as teeth and gum infections, as well as bad breath.
- Black cardamom improves gastrointestinal health: Black cardamom can stimulate and regulate the gastric and intestinal glands to secrete essential juices. Being carminative, black cardamom provides relief from abdominal gas, indigestion, and flatulence.
- Black cardamom improves cardiovascular health: Regular intake of black cardamom will keep your heart healthy, and your blood pressure under check, and also reduce the chances of a blood clot.
- Black cardamom has anti-cancer properties: Black cardamom contains two kinds of antioxidants: Diindolylmethane and Indole-3-Carbinol. These antioxidants help combat colon cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and ovarian cancer. They also prevent the growth of cancerous cells.
- Black cardamom has antibacterial properties: Regular intake of black cardamom will boost your immunity and protect you from bacterial infections.
- Black cardamom has antioxidants that are good for your skin: Full of antioxidants, vitamin C, and the essential mineral potassium, black cardamom can keep your internal system free from toxic materials. It improves blood circulation throughout the skin surface and keeps it healthy. It contributes to better skin complexion and makes your skin look younger (it’s an important ingredient of many ayurvedic beauty products).
- Black cardamom is good for your hair: Black cardamom’s anti-oxidative properties help keep your scalp and hair strands nourished, while making your hair stronger, with thick and shiny tresses.
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