Cardamom -Sri Lanka

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.

Ceylon cinnamon has been hailed as the "true cinnamon" or the "real cinnamon" that possesses outstanding health benefits especially for the diabetics and those challenged by obesity and high cholesterol issues. Unfortunately this cinnamon which is native to Sri Lanka and sourced from the plant Cinnamomum Zeylanicum A highly valued culinary and medicinal spice. Price can be up to 10 times more than the Cassia/Chinese cinnamon. Contains a small, negligible amount of coumarin, a naturally occurring blood-thinning substance. Recommended for regular use, e.g. for correcting blood sugar level. Thin and paper-like textured bark that forms multiple layers when rolled up. Tan brown in colour.

Cinnamon refers to Cinnamomum Verum or true cinnamon which is an endemic plant of Sri Lanka Every other cinnamon except Sri Lanka is from related species of plants and is called cassia Cinnamon is a spice derived by making shavings also known as quills of the inner bark of the cinnamon tree Cinnamon trade has a very long history and records show cinnamon in the spice trade of Egypt as early as 2000BC Cinnamon is often used to spice up chocolates deserts and beverages but also for alcohol flavoring and medicine Around 90 of the true cinnamon traded around the world is originated from Sri Lanka

Cardamom, is a small spindle shaped seedpod with black seeds inside. The covers are thin and pale green (Elettaria) or dark brown (Amomum). Cardamom is the third on the list of the world�?�?�?�¢??s most expensive spices, right behind vanilla and saffron. Cardamom is used as a cooking spice as well as flavoring (mainly for tea and coffee). It is also used in medicine. Cardamom is native to India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Bhutan, Nepal and Bangaladesh. Only a few other countries, like Sri Lanka, have also taken up cultivation.