Cardamom Pods 1kg

Recipes & Uses

Recipe for Cardamom Pods

Cardamom Masala Chai

Servings: 2
Prep Time: 2 mins
Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

• 2 cups water

• 2 cups whole milk (or dairy-free alternative)

• 4–5 green cardamom pods (lightly crushed)

• 2–3 black peppercorns (optional)

• 1-inch fresh ginger, sliced or crushed

• 1 cinnamon stick (or ¼ tsp ground)

• 2–3 cloves

• 2 tbsp loose black tea (or 2 tea bags)

• Sugar or honey to taste

Instructions:

1. Crush Spices: Lightly crack cardamom pods (to release seeds) and peppercorns with a mortar/pestle or rolling pin.

2. Simmer Spices: In a saucepan, boil water with crushed cardamom, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and peppercorns for 3–4 mins until fragrant.

3. Brew Tea: Reduce heat, add tea leaves, and simmer 2 mins.

4. Add Milk: Pour in milk, simmer 3–4 mins (don’t boil hard). Strain into cups. Sweeten to taste.

Key Tips:

• Freshness matters: Use whole green cardamom pods (not pre-ground) for the brightest flavor.

• Adjust spices: For stronger cardamom flavor, add 1–2 extra pods.

Other Top Cardamom Pod Recipes:

1. Scandinavian Cardamom Buns (Kardemummabullar)

   • Buttery, coiled buns with ground cardamom pods in the dough + sugar topping.

2. Indian Biryani

   • Whole cardamom pods infuse rice with aroma (remove before eating).

3. Cardamom Coffee (Qahwa)

• Arabic-style coffee brewed with crushed pods for a floral kick.

Essential for Masala Chai

Lightly crush the pods before simmering them with black tea, milk, ginger, cinnamon and cloves to create authentic masala chai.

Crushing the pod helps release the fragrant seeds and their natural oils into the drink.

Perfect for Biryani, Curries & Rice

Whole cardamom pods are traditionally used to infuse biryani, basmati rice, curries, stews and slow-cooked dishes.

Add them whole during cooking and remove before serving, or lightly fry the pods in oil at the beginning of a curry to release their aroma.

Grind Fresh for Maximum Aroma

Crack open the pods and remove the dark seeds when you want freshly ground cardamom.

The seeds can be lightly toasted and ground for garam masala, curry powders, baking and desserts, giving you a particularly fresh and vibrant flavour.

Excellent in Sweet Recipes

Cardamom pods are also widely used in custards, ice cream, poached fruit, syrups and Scandinavian baking.

For infusions, bruise the pods and steep them in milk or cream, then strain before using.

Buy Green Cardamom Pods in Bulk in NZ

The 1kg bulk pack is ideal for restaurants, cafés, chai producers, bakeries, caterers and anyone who regularly cooks with whole cardamom.

Order Green Cardamom Pods online in New Zealand from SpicenEasy for chai, biryani, curries, desserts and freshly ground spice blends.

Storage

Store whole cardamom pods tightly sealed in a cool, dark and dry place to preserve their aroma for as long as possible.

Why Cardamom Pods?

• Complex flavor: Citrusy, herbal, and slightly minty—perfect in both sweets and savories.

• Health perks: Aids digestion and is rich in antioxidants.