Few spices match the prestige of cardamom. Known as the Queen of Spices, it adds a fragrant, slightly floral depth to everything from chai to curries. Our Royal 4Hills Cardamom comes from the hills of Meghalaya, and green cardamom is one of the five spices in our Golden Immunity Medley.
What Makes Cardamom Special?
Cardamom grows in humid, shaded highland conditions, including the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. The pods are dried and used whole, or the tiny seeds inside are ground. The result is a bold, aromatic spice with a sweet, spicy flavor.
- Bold aroma and a sweet-spicy flavor
- Used whole (pods) or ground (seeds)
- A little goes a long way: one or two pods is usually plenty
Culinary Uses: From Kitchen to Cup
- Infused in teas like kadha, masala chai, or herbal blends
- Added to desserts like kheer, halwa, and cake batters
- Blended into spice mixes such as garam masala or biryani masala
- Used in savory dishes like curries, vegetable pulao, and dal tadka
Want the flavor of cardamom alongside turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, and long pepper in one scoop? Try our Golden Immunity Medley in golden milk, coffee, or oatmeal.
Featured Recipe: Royal Paneer Curry with Cardamom, Long Pepper & Lakadong Turmeric
This rich paneer curry is one of our all-time favorites. Onions, tomatoes, and cashews slow-cooked for about an hour create a creamy base. The warmth of cardamom pods, the kick of Warm Wild Long Pepper and Hillside Ghost Pepper, and the golden color of Golden Lakadong Turmeric build layers of flavor, and Aromatic 3Hills Cinnamon adds an elegant touch. It does take a little time, but it is worth it: it tastes like it is from a restaurant, but you know exactly what is in it.
Ingredients
1 tbsp oil
2–3 cardamom pods
1 cup onions, chopped
2 cups tomatoes, finely chopped
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar (optional)
15–20 whole cashews
3/4 to 1 tsp Hillside Ghost Pepper
1 tsp Warm Wild Long Pepper
1 tsp Golden Lakadong Turmeric
1 tsp garam masala
1 tsp coriander powder (I like to crush mine fresh)
1 cup water
2 bay leaves
1 inch Aromatic 3Hills Cinnamon quill (or 1/4 tsp Aromatic 3Hills Cinnamon powder)
3 cloves
2 tbsp butter
1 1/2 tsp ginger-garlic paste (or 1/2 to 3/4 inch fresh ginger and 4 garlic cloves)
10 oz paneer (or tofu)
1 bell pepper
1 tsp dried fenugreek leaves
2 tbsp heavy cream
2–3 tbsp chopped cilantro
Directions
- Heat the oil in a pan and add the chopped onion and cardamom. Cook until translucent.
- Add the tomatoes and sauté for 3–4 minutes, then cover and cook until soft and very mushy.
- Add the turmeric, long pepper, ghost pepper, and garam masala and stir.
- Add the cashews and sugar. Stir for a few minutes until aromatic.
- Turn off the heat and let cool completely. Transfer to a blender and blend to a smooth puree. Set aside.
- Heat the butter in the same pan. When it melts, add the cloves, cardamom, bay leaves, and cinnamon. Reduce the heat and sauté the ginger-garlic paste for a few minutes, until the raw smell subsides.
- Stir in the blended onion-tomato puree. Add a little more water to reach the consistency you like.
- Cover and cook on medium for about 10 minutes, stirring every few minutes so it does not burn. Taste and adjust the salt or spices.
- Lower the heat and add the bell pepper and paneer. Cook a few minutes more.
- Stir in the dried fenugreek leaves and cream. Garnish with cilantro.
Tips:
- Tofu works in place of paneer.
- For softer paneer, soak it in hot water for 10–12 minutes, but not longer, or it can firm up.
- Almonds can replace cashews.
- Omit the cream and use vegan butter to make it vegan. The cream adds a restaurant-style richness, but it is optional.
FAQs about Cardamom
What is special about cardamom from Meghalaya?
It is grown at high altitude in the Khasi Hills, in humid, shaded conditions, which suits this delicate spice.
How do I use cardamom in daily cooking?
Use whole pods or grind the seeds for tea, sweets, spice blends, or savory dishes. One or two pods go a long way.
How should I store cardamom?
Keep it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to preserve its aroma.
Where can I buy it in bulk?
For bulk and wholesale inquiries, contact us at support@humbleoriginssf.com or see our wholesale page.
