This spice is the third most expensive in the world, surpassed only by saffron and vanilla.
This spice is known as cardamom (also referred to as green cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum).
In fact, just 100 grams of green cardamom costs around 9 USD. This means that to acquire 1 kg, one must pay approximately 90 USD (around 2.2 million VND).
According to experts, cardamom is a plant from the ginger family. It is a common spice in Vietnam and many Asian countries. Additionally, this third most expensive spice in the world is also favored in Middle Eastern and Arab countries.
In Vietnam, cardamom grows in high mountainous areas with a cool climate, such as Cao Bang and Lao Cai. Typically, cardamom plants reach a height of about 2 – 3 meters and are perennial. The flowers of this plant are white-purple and usually grow in clusters at the base of the stem carrying leaves.
Cardamom is cultivated in many places around the world. In Vietnam, it is widely grown in Lao Cai, Cao Bang… (Photo: Abplive)
Experts state that after sowing seeds, this plant takes up to 2 years to bear fruit. Furthermore, in the first harvest, the yield is very low. The fruit contains various vitamins, minerals, and fiber, while being low in calories.
The cardamom fruit appears quite unusual, being spherical with wrinkled skin. The exterior of the cardamom fruit has vertical stripes. Inside, it contains 20 to 30 small seeds with a fragrant and spicy flavor.
Cardamom has a mildly spicy and fragrant taste, making it a popular ingredient in cooking or desserts. Dubbed the “queen of spices“, cardamom not only enhances the appeal of dishes but also offers numerous health benefits.
Cardamom fruits are often sold at high prices. (Photo: Ancient Guru).
Not only the fruit, but even the flowers of cardamom are used as medicinal materials. The optimal time for harvesting cardamom fruit is in autumn when the fruit is about 70% ripe. These fruits are harvested from plants that are at least 3 years old.
After harvesting, growers dry the fruits in the shade until the skin turns white and store them for later use. When needed, one can simply peel off the skin to extract the seeds and crush them. The high price of cardamom fruit and powder is due to the time required for cultivation, careful care, and their susceptibility to pests and fungi, making the preservation process quite costly.
Cardamom has many uses in cooking and helps improve various health issues. (Photo: Getty Images).
Benefits of Cardamom
Antibacterial Properties
In an interview with Business Insider, Reda Elmardi, an American nutrition expert, stated: “Cardamom contains eugenol, the active ingredient responsible for the strong spicy aroma of the seeds, and has strong antibacterial properties.”
A study published in the Journal of Food Science and Technology in 2017 found that cardamom effectively inhibits the growth of salmonella, staphylococcus, and candida fungi.
Blood Sugar Control
A study published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture in 2019 explored the benefits of cardamom in preventing and treating diabetes. The researchers found that using cardamom could lower blood sugar levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes.
Another study indicated that cardamom reduces inflammatory markers in individuals with prediabetes.
Oral Health Protection
Cardamom not only freshens breath but also offers many other benefits for oral health.
A study conducted in 2020 found that extracts from cardamom fruit and seeds could inhibit the growth of bacteria that cause gum disease. Another study showed that this spice effectively kills Streptococcus mutans, a bacterium responsible for tooth decay.
Cardamom is a familiar spice in Vietnam. (Photo: Insider).
Liver Health Improvement
A study published in Nutrition & Metabolism in 2018 found that cardamom reduces inflammation in the liver of patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This study also emphasized that cardamom positively impacts the overall health of the liver in individuals without liver disease.
Medical News Today cited another animal study indicating that cardamom protects the liver from various types of damage.
Cardiovascular Health Enhancement
Regular consumption of cardamom has been shown to reduce triglyceride levels in the blood. High triglyceride levels can increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and dangerous events such as heart attacks and strokes.
Moreover, cardamom has been demonstrated to lower blood pressure and enhance antioxidant capacity, both of which are beneficial for heart health.
Cardamom is good for the liver (Illustrative image).
Anti-Cancer Properties
According to Medical News Today, cardamom contains phytochemicals with anti-cancer properties. A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food in 2012 indicated that cardamom could reduce the size of skin tumors. A laboratory study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology in 2022 showed that cardamom could inhibit the growth and destroy lung cancer cells.
Researchers also pointed out the potential of cardamom in developing health-supporting products, as it is considered a “superfood.” However, studies advise that adults should limit their intake to about 77 grams, equivalent to 8 – 10 cardamom pods per day.
