Made from cardamom seeds, ground cardamom can quickly transform your favorite savory or sweet dishes to another level. If you have yet to try it, keep reading to know how!
Ground cardamom is an aromatic spice with complex flavor — sweet, smoky, with a hint of mint, to name a few.
It’s commonly used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines and is a staple ingredient for Nordic pastries and desserts.
Is ground cardamom green or black?
Although there are different varieties of cardamon, only the seeds from the green cardamom pods are turned into ground cardamom.
How to make ground cardamom
- Cardamom pods to ground conversion. You can use a spice grinder or a small food processor to turn the pods into cardamom powder quickly.
- Green cardamom seeds. The seeds are slightly softer than the pods, so you can use a good old mortar and pestle to turn the seeds into ground cardamom.
Storage
It would be best to store them in an air-tight jar or container.
However, it does not keep its potency and aroma like the pods or seeds.
So do what I do — keep the seeds in tight containers instead and only ground them when you need to use the powder form in your dish.
Ground cardamom uses
It is not only for baking sweets — it’s also excellent with savory dishes.
- Adding them in spice blends. Garam masala and Lebanese 7-Spices are some popular ones that use cardamom powder.
- Northern European cakes and pastries
Locally known as ‘kardemummakaka,’ it’s a classic Swedish sponge cake subtly flavored with cardamom.
You think it’s too simple? Ha!
I promise you; it’s all about the cardamom — you barely notice that the cake has sugar and butter. 😉
Try it to see for yourself!
Swedish Almond Paste Mini Cakes
It’s almond cake with almond paste and rolled into cardamom powder.
If you’re thinking of what else goes well with cardamom, this proves that almonds should be your first choice.
Locally known as ‘julekake,’ it’s a must for every holiday gathering in Norway.
As typical holiday treats, warming and comforting spices are added to bread and desserts — hard to beat cardamom for both.
It’s one of the main things differentiating Swedish cinnamon buns from American cinnamon rolls — it adds cardamom to its dough.
So, you don’t only get the cinnamon from the filling; there is that hint of cardamom directly from the bread.
Swedish Hazelnut and Cardamom Cookies
A traditional shortbread cookie that combines the flavor of ground hazelnut and cardamom in every bite — absolutely delicious.
Do you want more cardamom? Then sprinkle more on top as soon as the cookies are out of the oven!
So, which one do you want to try first? Regardless of your choice, make sure you have a cup of coffee or tea ready! 🙂
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