Make Cardamom powder at home with this easy recipe. It’s made by grinding whole green cardamom seeds into a fine powder. The fresh homemade ground cardamom has the best flavor and aroma, elevating the taste of any dish it is added to!
Cardamom powder is used in various sweet and savory dishes and beverages. It has a wonderful, sweet, spicy, and fruity aroma that adds a unique taste to both sweet and savory dishes.
Let’s learn how to make flavorful and aromatic cardamom powder from scratch in just a few simple steps.
Table of Contents
- What is Cardamom Powder?
- What does Cardamom taste like?
- What does Cardamom smell like?
- Ingredients
- How to Make Cardamom Powder?
- Expert Tips
- How to Store?
- How Long does Ground Cardamom Last?
- Uses of Ground Cardamom
- Whole Cardamom Pods to Ground Cardamom Conversion
- Common Questions
- Recipes with Cardamom Powder
- Cardamom Powder Recipe (Ground Cardamom) Recipe
What is Cardamom Powder?
Cardamom powder, also called Elaichi powder, is a spice made by grinding the seeds of the cardamom plant. These seeds have a strong, pleasant aroma and taste.
The powder is used to add flavor to food and drinks. It is commonly used in cooking, especially in dishes from places like India and the Middle East. People also use it to make tea and coffee taste better.
Cardamom is often used in traditional medicine systems like Ayurveda to aid digestion. It may help reduce symptoms of indigestion, bloating, and gas. Chewing cardamom seeds may also help freshen your breath. Source
If you are unable to find cardamoms or have run out, here are some cardamom substitutes to try!
What does Cardamom taste like?
Cardamom has a warm and slightly sweet flavor with a bit of spice. It also has a hint of citrus and mint.
Some people say it tastes a little like ginger. It’s used in cooking to add a special flavor to sweet and savory dishes. It can make foods taste more interesting and delicious!
What does Cardamom smell like?
Cardamom has a lovely smell that’s both sweet and spicy. It’s like a mix of cinnamon and cloves, but with a hint of floral freshness, like flowers in a garden.
There’s also a touch of citrus, like a lemon or grapefruit. When you use cardamom in cooking or baking, it fills the air with a comforting and uplifting aroma that makes everything feel cozy and inviting.
Ingredients
For this recipe, you’ll only need one thing – Green Cardamom pods. These pods come in two sizes: Jumbo and Regular. Jumbo pods have more seeds inside. This makes the cardamom powder extra flavorful and aromatic. But use any green cardamom pods you can find to make ground cardamom.
How to Make Cardamom Powder?
Cleaning Cardamoms: Check the cardamom pods for freshness and damage.
Note: I like to use whole pods with the husk to make cardamom powder, as the husk has flavor, too. If you prefer to do that, gently crack open the pods to remove the seeds and discard the husk. You don’t need to do the next step of roasting the pods if you are removing the seeds.
Roasting Cardamom:
- Heat a pan over medium heat.
- Dry Roast the cardamom seeds until fragrant and slightly darker.
- Remove from heat and let cool completely.
Making Ground Cardamom:
- Transfer the cooled roasted cardamom seeds to a spice grinder.
- Grind until you achieve the desired consistency. I recommend getting a fine powder as that is better when adding cardamom powder to desserts.
- You can also run the powder through a sieve to remove any large pieces.
- Store ground cardamom in an airtight container.
Expert Tips
- After grinding, sieve the ground cardamom powder to remove any larger particles or husks, ensuring a smooth and uniform texture.
- Grind the seeds in small batches to ensure a consistent texture. It is also better to use the ground cardamom within a few weeks to have its best aroma and flavor.
- Store the ground cardamom powder in an airtight container away from light and moisture to maintain its freshness.
- To prevent contamination and preserve its freshness, scoop out the powder each time using a clean, dry spoon or measuring spoon.
How to Store?
- Transfer the ground cardamom powder to an airtight container to prevent moisture from getting in.
- Store the container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, as light can degrade the flavor of the spice.
- Avoid storing ground cardamom near strong-smelling spices, as it can absorb other odors easily.
How Long does Ground Cardamom Last?
Ground cardamom can last for about 6 months if kept in a sealed container in a cool, dry place. However, its flavor might weaken over time, so it’s best to use it within the first few weeks after grinding for the best taste.
Uses of Ground Cardamom
- Cooking: Add ground cardamom to your cooking for a warm and aromatic flavor in dishes like curries, soups, and rice.
- Baking / Sweets: Enhance your baked goods with ground cardamom for a unique and fragrant taste in cookies, cakes, and bread. It is also used in a variety of sweets, such as halwa and kheer (rice pudding).
- Beverages: Sprinkle ground cardamom into your hot drinks like coffee and tea for a flavorful twist. You can also add it to cold beverages like smoothies and lassi for a refreshing flavor.
- Spice Blends: Use ground cardamom or whole cardamom pods in spice blends such as garam masala or curry powder to add depth and richness to your dishes.
Whole Cardamom Pods to Ground Cardamom Conversion
This table shows approximately how much ground cardamom you can make from whole pods. Remember, the amounts might vary based on pod size and freshness. Adjust as needed for your recipe and taste preference.
| Whole Cardamom Pods | Ground Cardamom |
|---|---|
| 1 pod | 1/6 teaspoon |
| 2 pods | 1/3 teaspoon |
| 3 pods | 1/2 teaspoon |
| 4 pods | 2/3 teaspoon |
| 5 pods | 3/4 teaspoon |
| 6 pods | 1 teaspoon |
Common Questions
Yes, you can use ground cardamom instead of cardamom seeds in your recipes. Just remember that about 1 teaspoon of ground cardamom is similar to 10 to 12 cardamom pods or 1 1/2 teaspoons of cardamom seeds. Adjust the amount based on your taste and the recipe you’re making.
When grinding cardamom, it is okay to grind the whole pods. The pods can be tough and fibrous, so make sure to make a fine powder or run the ground powder through a sieve. But if you prefer, you can remove the seeds and grind them.
It depends on personal preference and the recipe; whole cardamom pods allow for freshness control and flavor adjustment, while ground cardamom powder is convenient and ready to use. If savory curries and rice dishes where cardamom pods are added for flavor and aroma, you can add whole cardamom pods, and remove them just before serving. For desserts, it is best to use finely ground cardamom powder.
Recipes with Cardamom Powder
Cardamom Powder Recipe (Ground Cardamom)
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup Cardamom pods
Instructions
- In a pan, roast the green cardamom pods for 5 minutes on low heat. Make sure to stir frequently. The color of the cardamom will slightly change, but you don't want them to brown.
- Take off the heat, and let the cardamom cool completely. Then, transfer to a spice grinder and grind to a fine powder. If there are any large particles, you can run it through a sieve. You can also leave it slightly coarse if desired.
- Transfer the cardamom powder to an airtight container and store it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Notes
- Sieve for Smoothness: After grinding the seeds, you can sift the powder to remove any larger pieces of seeds or husks that did not grind well. Sifting ensures your cardamom powder has a smooth and even texture, blending perfectly into your dishes.
- Small Batch Grinding: Grind your cardamom seeds in small batches for the most consistent texture. This allows the grinder to work more efficiently, evenly breaking down all the seeds. It is also better to store cardamom powder for less time for the best flavor and aroma. I recommend using it within a month of grinding.
