Cardamom is one of the world’s very ancient spices. It is native to the East originating in the forests of the Western Ghats in southern India, where it grows wild. Today it also grows in Sri Lanka, Guatemala, Indo China and Tanzania. The ancient Egyptians chewed cardamom seeds as a tooth cleaner; the Greeks and Romans used it as a perfume. Vikings came upon cardamom about one thousand years ago, in Constantinople, and introduced it into Scandinavia, where it remains popular to this day. Cardamom is an expensive spice, second only to saffron. It is often adulterated and there are many inferior substitutes from cardamom-related plants, such as Siam cardamom, Nepal cardamom, winged Java cardamom, and bastard cardamom. However, it is only Elettaria cardamomum which is the true cardamom. Indian cardamom is known in two main varieties: Malabar cardamom and Mysore cardamom.
Grade.A Type. Elettaria (Green cardamom) Size.5.5mm to 8mm Curing Method. Natural(sun)Drying Husk.28.0-38.0 % Seed.62.0-7.0 % Volatile extract.7.5-10% Non volatile ether extracts.2.2-2.4 % Starch.39.1-43.7 % Fibre.8.4-9.3 % Protein.97-140 % sizes are 5, 6, 7, 8 mm broken matter 1-2% Immature Cardamom: 5% by count Thrips: 3 by count
1) Moisture content : 12% 2) Size : 8mm 3) Shape : oval or slightly elliptical shape wrinkled, there are 3 (three) longitudinal grooves; 4) Color: White to golden color; 5) Smell: characteristic aromatic cardamom; 6) Taste: slightly spicy, mint flavor; 7) Hardness: when pressed with 2 fingers, the skin of the fruit will break. 8) Essential oil levels : positive
Specifications : 1) Moisture content : 17% - 20% 2) Shape : oval or slightly elliptical shape wrinkled, there are 3 (three) longitudinal grooves; 3) Color: White to golden color; 4) Smell: characteristic aromatic cardamom; 5) Taste: slightly spicy, mint flavor; 6) Hardness: when pressed with 2 fingers, the skin of the fruit will break. 7) Essential oil levels : positive 8) Clean (less land)