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A Caring Guide To Cardamom

Whole green cardamom are small seed capsules with papery outer shells. They have ridges running along their length and taper at either ends. When fresh, and quality-dried, they are green in color and somewhat plump. The capsules are triangular in cross-section, and when opened reveal 15-20 small black-brown and intensely aromatic seeds.
Whole green cardamom are small seed capsules with papery outer shells. They have ridges running along their length and taper at either ends. When fresh, and quality-dried, they are green in color and somewhat plump. The capsules are triangular in cross-section, and when opened reveal 15-20 small black-brown and intensely aromatic seeds.
Herein this tea are flavors that conspire to make you happy. The richness of toasted almond is decadent and soul-affirming, balanced lovingly by the perky, uplifting notes of cardamom and a touch of sweet cinnamon in our caffeine-free rooibos. Try Almond Cardamom Cake as an afternoon delight, or a Sunday morning treat!
Herein this tea are flavors that conspire to make you happy. The richness of toasted almond is decadent and soul-affirming, balanced lovingly by the perky, uplifting notes of cardamom and a touch of sweet cinnamon in our caffeine-free rooibos. Try Almond Cardamom Cake as an afternoon delight, or a Sunday morning treat!

What does the word “cardamom” bring to mind? For some people it might sound complex and exotic; for others, it’s a taste of tradition and homey hearth vibes.

About Cardamom

Cardamom, otherwise known as Elettaria cardamomum—green cardamom, considered “true” cardamom— or Amomum subulatum —black or brown cardamom, which comes from a different variety—depending on which specific plant you’re referring to, is a historical component of spice blends, medicines, and cuisines for centuries upon centuries. It was one of the many spices carried by camels and caravans along the Silk Road, that brought lasting connections between the Eastern and the Western worlds to trade.

(Yes, this same transcontinental avenue is why we get to enjoy wonderful teas like Mindful Mint Chai and Tri Pepper Chai, but just you wait! We’ll get to those beauties in a moment.)

In Western data-based medicine, cardamom has been studied and proved to possess the potential for possible health benefits. This includes a particularly high level of anti-inflammatory potential, according to this study that looked at green cardamom extract along with turmeric—another herb with great press and anti-inflammatory potential— and aimed to distinguish which active compounds were effective in fighting cytokines, aka the uncomfortable little cells that are associated with inflammation in the body. The study revealed that green cardamom contains something called “a-terpinyl acetate” to help with this battle.

Cardamom and Tea

That’s great news for chai lovers, since one of the main ingredients of most chai blends is green cardamom. It’s also great that Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine support those studies. Ayurveda indicates that cardamom could aid in digestive, respiratory, and cardiovascular health, which in TCM is described as “circulates qi, disperses cold, clears damp, resolves phlegm.” How cool is that?

Or should I say, how hot is that? Because our top cardamom-featuring chais will make you feel super toasty!

Almond Cardamom Cake

Adagio Tea's Almond Cardamom Cake Tea is a delightful blend that transports your taste buds to a world of culinary indulgence. This exquisite tea offers a harmonious fusion of flavors, combining the warm and aromatic essence of cardamom with the sweet and nutty notes of almond. As you steep this tea, the fragrant aroma fills the room, promising a comforting and soothing experience. With each sip, you'll be treated to a velvety smooth texture and a rich, dessert-like flavor profile that evokes the comforting taste of almond cake. Whether enjoyed hot or iced, Almond Cardamom Cake Tea is a delectable and satisfying choice for tea enthusiasts seeking a balanced blend of sweetness and spice.

Mindful Mint Chai

A voyage across the Silk Road of bliss. There’s something truly magical about the way that this tea brings together all the spices it contains in perfect harmony, as subtle and expressive as the patterns on a flying carpet. In addition to our star of the article, cardamom, Mindful Mint features Hojicha tea, spearmint, ginger, cinnamon , cloves, fennel seeds, and black peppercorn. The use of Hojicha is particularly interesting because it brings down the caffeine level and therefore overall intensity of the tea—perfect for soft reflection, or starting a new meditation habit for the year.

Tri Pepper Chai

It’s time to turn it up a notch! This one boasts a fantastic array of ingredients with fiery personalities in nearly all of them: black tea, cinnamon, ginger, clove buds, red peppercorn, black peppercorn, aniseed & chili pepper flakes. See where our caffeine has been hiding? It went right into this chai with its base of sweet black tea to help you attack the morning with extra fire. Tri Pepper Chai really makes the most of its cast of ingredients because the peppery aspects never overpower the rest—instead, they have an awesome boosting effect to make the softer flavors of ginger, aniseed, cinnamon, and clove more powerful. That’s another thing that Ayurveda gets right as well: pepper and peppercorns are often added to enhance medicinal blends as near-literal firepower.

Remember you can add some extra pods to any tea, pick them up from Selefina! Did you know that your teas and spices can all be shipped in the same package! How cool is that?

What are your favorite cardamom teas? Let us know in the comments!

Cheers!

Natasha Nesic

NASM Certified Personal Trainer and Nutrition Coach, Founder of Work Life Fitness