Key facts
| Hindi name | Elaichi |
|---|---|
| Also called | Chhoti elaichi |
| Flavour | Floral, sweet and slightly minty. |
| Heat | No heat |
| Sold as | Whole pods, seeds, ground |
| Stays fresh | Whole: 1 year, ground: 1 month · check your jars |
| Best substitute | There is no close substitute. A small mix of cinnamon and nutmeg works in baking. |
| Used in | 7 of our blends and 10 of our dishes |
How to use it
Crushed into chai, simmered in kheer and halwa, fried whole in biryani and pulao, and ground into garam masala.
- Crack the pods lightly before adding so the flavour comes out.
- For desserts, grind the seeds with a little sugar for an even powder.
- Cardamom is strong: two to three pods flavour a pot of chai for four.
Substitute
There is no close substitute. A small mix of cinnamon and nutmeg works in baking.
Storage
Whole pods keep for a year or more; ground cardamom fades in weeks.
By weight, cardamom is among the most expensive spices in the world, after saffron and vanilla.
Pairs well with
Dishes that use green cardamom
Blends with green cardamom
Garam masala (Punjabi style)
North India
The best-known Indian spice mix: warm, aromatic and only mildly hot. Every household has its own version; thi…
Tandoori masala
North India
A brick-red blend made for marinades; the colour comes from Kashmiri chilli rather than heat.
Biryani masala
Hyderabad and Lucknow
A fragrant blend with more floral spices than garam masala: mace, nutmeg, star anise and rose.
Chettinad masala
Tamil Nadu
A peppery, aromatic blend from the Chettinad region, with stone flower and kapok buds.
Kashmiri masala (ver style)
Kashmir
Kashmiri Pandit cooking relies on fennel, dry ginger and Kashmiri chilli rather than onion and garlic.
Frequently asked questions
What is green cardamom called in Hindi?
Elaichi. Also known as Chhoti elaichi.
What can I use instead of green cardamom?
There is no close substitute. A small mix of cinnamon and nutmeg works in baking.
How long does green cardamom keep?
Whole pods keep for a year or more; ground cardamom fades in weeks.
Tips from travellers
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