Cardamom or 'cardomon' (Elettaria cardamomum) is used widely in cooking, either as cardamom pods or ground cardamom. The plant that you are looking for is the one that flowers and seeds at the bottom of the plant, not the 'false cardamom'.
The green fruits are collected after flowering and the seeds are dried for use in cooking. In India this spice (one of the most expensive after saffron and the vanilla bean) is also said to be good for your health and 'vitality' of the heart
Cardomom is a clump forming that will reach around 5m plant generally grown in warm climates in shaded positions, moisture is essential and cardamom plants require similar conditions to ginger. Plants are often available for sale online.
Can you grow cadamom in Australia, well yes you can. Just consider that most of the cardamom is grown in the Indian state of Kerula which is close to the equator.. so Queensland would be the best place, but if you are keen, give it a go, if you create a microclimate that suits then you may be successful. |
