Cardamom

Cardamom is a perennial, herbaceous, rhizomatous plant that is part of the Zingiberaceae family. Native to India and Sri Lanka, it now grows in tropical regions throughout Southeast Asia. Adorned with white flowers that have purple stripes, its stems have dark evergreen leaves that can reach a height of 3 meters. Cardamom fruit contains fragrant seeds which, once dried, create an aromatic spice that has been used in India since 30 BC. Arab merchants began exporting the spice to Europe, and the Greeks and Romans used it to make perfumes and culinary preparations. Cardamom is commonly used in Indian cuisine, teas and an array of beverages. In the Middle East, it is used to flavor coffee and in traditional food preparations.