Just think that you are planning to cook something tonight and the hero of that dish is cardamom. You start cooking, take cardamom and crush it, instead of having a burst of aroma, there’s you can barely smell any fragrance. Disappointing, right? Unfortunately, this is the reality of most Indian people who buy cardamom unknowingly which is of low quality or adulterated.

This spice is high in price and is used in lots of aromatic dishes. But the issue is not all the cardamom is equal. Due to the increasing demand for cardamom, suppliers start doing something easy, selling subpar or even they start to sell chemically treated cardamom. So, what’s the way to ensure you get the purest and most flavourful spice? This blog will break the secret step by step from identifying to testing for buying the best cardamom without falling for common market tricks.

Understanding Different Types of Cardamom

This is the first and most important step, that is, you have to understand the main types of cardamom that you will commonly find in the market:

1. Green Cardamom

This cardamom is used mainly for cooking, baking and in beverage making. The highest quality comes from certain regions like Kerala, Karnataka and Guatemala. This type has a great flavour which has a strong, fresh aroma and an added hint of citrus. One of the most common reasons for adulteration is its expensiveness and also this type is bleached to transform it into white cardamom.

2. Black Cardamom

This cardamom is larger in size and also darker in colour. The flavour is not good has green cardamom but each spice has its own speciality and this type has a smoky and earthy aroma for which it is commonly used in savoury dishes, but the aroma is less. Green cardamom is expensive, so is mostly adulterated but black cardamom is rarely adulterated.

Important Signs of High-Quality Cardamom

Things you should always notice before buying cardamom both online or in physical stores for the quality,

1. Size & Shape Matters

Premium Cardamom pods will be bigger, plump, and firm and sizes will be uniformly sized. You can identify low quality by its size which will be small.

2. Colours

The best cardamom will be bright green, which is a sign of its freshness and the essential oil content is high in it. The pods that seem to be yellowish or pale green are either old ones or ones that are dried improperly. Another thing to note is the artificial colours, you should be aware of dyed cardamom which looks unnatural vibrant green.

3. Aroma

The fragrance in the fresh and pure cardamom will be strong, sweet and with a slight add-up of citrusy flavour. If the pods smell weak or musty then the cardamom was stored poorly or it has gone stale.

4. Weight test

Heavy is always better as good cardamom pods feel heavy in size. This is the sign that cardamom is full of seeds and not empty. Lighter pods contain fewer seeds which means it has lower oil content too.

5. Seeds

The cardamom pods contain seeds, to check this, open a pod and it should contain tiny, dark brown or black seeds which are considered to have high quality whereas if seeds are not visible or pale, then the spice has lost its potency.

Adulteration Check Process

We all should know that all the cardamom that is sold in the market is not pure. I will provide you with some ways to identify tampered or low-quality versions of cardamom:

1. The Color Test – Many sellers dye their cardamom to make it appealing to customers as it is fresh. So, you can check it by rubbing cardamom on a white tissue and if it transfers green colour then it is artificially coloured.

2. The Water Test – Add a few pods to water, pure cardamom is likely to sink as it is heavy and the adulterated ones might float because of its added altering substances. And also the green colour will be seen in the water after some time if it’s fake.

3. Scratch Test – Just scratch a pod with your nail and if you start noticing an unnatural green layer that’s coming off, then it’s likely that it has been dyed.

4. Aroma & Crush Test – If the smell in cardamom is strong and disappears after crushing, then it may have been artificially sprayed with fragrance.

Storage Tips for Fresh Cardamom

After getting that perfect high-quality cardamom, storing it properly is very important to maintain its freshness.

1. Storing it in airtight containers is best as it will maintain moisture and keep the air out.
2. Always remember not to keep directly from sunlight. Exposing it to direct sunlight can fade its colour or reduce its potency.
3. It should be stored in a cool, dry place because humidity will make cardamom lose its essential oils.

So, the main point to remember is to not buy in bulk unless you are using it frequently as the cardamom starts losing its potency over time.

Where to Buy the Best Cardamom

You can find fresh and pure spices from major 3 places, 

1. Local Spice Market – This is a great place to find fresh and pure cardamom.
2. Trusted organic stores – The cardamoms which are organically treated will be less likely to be chemically combined.
3. Reputed Online Brands – You can check the product package backside for certain certifications (fssai) before purchasing.

One of the tips is to look for sellers online who mention that their cardamom is handpicked or shade-dried because these cardamom usually have the best aroma and also essential oil content.

Final Thoughts

This small spice has a big impact but if you get that in the best quality. You can be anything a home cook, a tea lover or someone who values and wants to use pure spices. So, if you know how to identify premium cardamom will help you get the best out of that small spice. Next time, when you want to buy cardamom, use these simple hacks to make sure that you are getting real, pure and fresh cardamom. If you are putting some effort while buying will help you go a long way by enjoying your favourite dish. 

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