Does Cardamom Go Bad?

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Cardamom, also known as cardamon, is a tiny spice product that is famous for its aroma. It has a very thin papery outer shell and has black seeds inside. Cardamoms are very famous in Asian countries. People there use it as a spice in their everyday meals.

Cardamoms come in a variety of forms. They are in two colors; light green and black. Both of them are used as a spice. A small amount of this spice can bring a unique and beautiful flavor to your dishes.

The shelf life of cardamoms is quite long as it is as dry spice. As long as the spice is placed away from unfavorable conditions, you will enjoy maximum from it. The grounded form lasts shorter than the raw cardamoms.

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How to Store Cardamoms?

You can store dry cardamoms anywhere in your kitchen at room temperature. They will stay good as long as they are placed at favorable spots. You will get to know all about your favorite spice in this article, so read on. Keep your flavorsome cardamoms at the following places at your home.

At a Cool and Dry place

Until and unless the cardamoms are placed at a cool and dry spot, they will never go bad. Either the cardamoms are grounded or in their raw form. A cool and dry place is ideal for them. They will not go bad. Only the cardamom seeds will start to lose their flavor after the best by date.

In Tightly sealed Containers

Make sure to store your spice in tightly sealed containers. Exposure to the air and stuff is not good for your spices. Always place them in airtight containers to avoid air interaction. In this way, your spice will last longer.

Exposure to the air aggravates the formation of mold on the food products. So be sure that your containers are tightly sealed.

Away from Moisture and Sunlight

The worst enemies of spices like cardamoms are sunlight and moisture. Either the cardamoms are in grounded or raw form, the sunlight and moisture will make them go bad very fast.

Exposure to sunlight makes the cardamoms go wilted. Also, the spice loses its flavor quickly than others. The outer layer of the cardamoms is very delicate that it goes bad due to heat sources.

In contrast, the moisture is also not good for the spices like cardamoms. The grounded form of cardamoms, if interacted with moisture, go clumpy and soggy. The same is the case with raw cardamoms. They also go soggy and bad.

Can we Freeze Cardamom?

If you are very conscious about cardamom’s shelf life, you can go for freezing the spice. Otherwise, there is no need to freeze the cardamoms as the spice lasts longer, even at room temperature.

You can simply freeze the spice in an airtight container. Freezing the cardamoms will extend the shelf life even more than the one’s places at room temperature. One side effect is that the frozen cardamoms will not give that fresh flavor given by the fresh cardamoms.

How long does the Cardamom Last?

As discussed above, cardamom’s shelf life is very long until they do not meet unfavorable conditions. As long as the spice is placed in a cool and dry spot, it will stay good and healthy to eat. There is a slight difference between the grounded and raw cardamoms.

The grounded cardamoms last a little shorter than the raw ones. This spice secretes an oil. The oil is released in the powdered form of cardamoms even if they are stored in airtight containers and stuff. So. The grounded cardamoms last for about 8 to 9 months if kept with all precautions.

In contrast, the raw cardamoms last really long. they stay good for 2 to 3 years even at room temperature. This is only applicable if the spice is stored properly with all precautions. The frozen cardamoms last even longer. They can stay good for 3 to 4 years inside the freezer.

How to tell if Cardamoms are Bad?

The spices like cardamoms rarely go bad. Only if they meet unfavorable conditions, they may go bad. Otherwise, they stay good even at room temperature. They only start to lose their flavor and aroma after the due date mentioned on the packaging.

Bad cardamoms show the following signs.

Any type of discoloration in the cardamoms results in bad and rotten spice.
Do not consume the cardamoms if they are mushy and out of the texture. Only use the crispy ones.
Make sure that the cardamoms you are using are without any bad smell and stuff. If you notice any unusual smell, discard the spice right away.
If you see any kind of mold and oil in the grounded cardamoms, do not use it.
If you notice that the cardamoms do not give a taste that hits your taste buds, then the spice is quite old. So, discard that too.

What does Cardamom Look Like?

Cardamom is a small seed pod. These pods have a spindle shape with a cross-section triangular appearance. These pods are filled with Cardamom seeds. You can use them in whole, ground, or seed forms. However, this spice has two different types. These are green and black Cardamom. So, their looks vary based on their type. The pod itself will either have a green or brown color. However, the seeds are normally found in black color. The seeds have small sizes.

Where does Cardamom Come From?

Cardamom comes from a wide range of plants. This spice is usually collected from wild plants. Moreover, the plants grow in moist forests. It is cultivated in large quantities in India, Guatemala, and Sri Lanka. That’s because of their special forests that boost the production of Cardamom plants.

How is Cardamom Made?

Once the Cardamom plant gets ready for cultivation, the fruits are picked. These fruits hang over the stem. You can either clip them or pick them by hand. However, the fruits, i.e., Cardamom pods, are picked before maturity. Afterward, they are cleansed and washed. Once done with washing, the pods are left to dry. You can either put it under direct sunlight and let it naturally dry. Or you can also use any heated curing chamber to dry it. And the Cardamom pods are ready for use. However, for using seeds, you should remove the skin and take out the seed. Besides, you can also use any grinder to get the ground form of this spice.

What Does Cardamom Taste Like?

The taste of Cardamom varies based on its type. The green Cardamom, which is also famous as the true Cardamom, has a herbal taste. It tastes like a combination of pepper, eucalyptus, and mint. Green Cardamom is sweeter than cumin. However, it has a higher citrus flavor than fennel.

On the other hand, black Cardamom has a little smoky note. It has almost the same taste with a slight addition. Sometimes, you also find it with a cooling menthol flavor. So, consider its taste and flavor before using it in your dishes.

How is Cardamom Used in Cooking?

Cardamom is used in different varieties of recipes. Remember, this spice easily overpowers other spices. So, be careful with the amount you use. While cooking, add Cardamom gently to the dish. It pairs well with a lot of ingredients. For instance, cinnamon, nutmeg, and other normal spices that you use for cooking. You can either add it with other spices and let it cook well, or you can add it when the food is half cooked. Moreover, black Cardamom fits well with savory dishes.

What Types of Cuisines Use Cardamom?

Both the black and green Cardamom are the most used spices in Indian cuisines. It is mostly used for cooking with curries and basmati rice. It adds a little aroma to the dishes. While in the Middle East and some parts of Europe, chefs mostly use ground Cardamom, and they use it in desserts, baked items, and sweet dishes. Some famous deserts include Swedish sweet buns, apple pie, and stone fruit galette, etc. Besides cooked and baked items, Cardamom is largely used in teas and coffees.

What is a Cardamom Substitute?

If Cardamom has finished and you are cooking something, then you can use some substitutes. Its major substitutes are the combination of cinnamon and allspice, cinnamon and nutmeg, and cinnamon and ginger.

Where to Buy Cardamom?

If you are looking for some best ground and whole forms of Cardamom, then we have it for you. We are suggesting the best Cardamom products. So, consider buying them next time when you need that.

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