Cardamom is the ground seed of a tropical fruit in the ginger family. The seeds are found in oval shaped fruit pods that are between 1/4 and 1 inch long.

Cardamom is the dried, unripened fruit of Elettaria Cardamomum. Enclosed in the fruit pods are tiny, brown, aromatic seeds which are slightly pungent to taste. Cardamom pods are generally green but are also available in bleached white pod form. It is available both in the whole pod and as seeds with the outer hull removed.

Throughout the Arab world, Cardamom is one of the most popular spices, with Cardamom coffee being a symbol of prestige and hospitality. The spice is also very popular in the Scandinavian countries where it is used more extensively than cinnamon. In Sweden it has become a more popular spice than cinnamon.
A small amount of Cardamom will add a tempting flavor to coffee cake, Danish pastry, specialty breads and apple pie. Try adding Cardamom to your ground coffee before brewing, then sweeten and top with cream.
In India, Cardamom is traditionally used in curry blends. In Scandinavian countries it is commonly added to breads; however, most of the world's Cardamom crop is used in Arabic countries as a flavoring for coffee.

Cardamom has an intense, pungent, sweet flavor.