Cardamom

Cardamom (Large) is considered to be the `Queen of Spices'. India is the largest producer and exporter of this spice, accounting for more than 60% of the total world production and total world trade. The demand for large cardamom in the export market is increasing steadily. Cardamom oil is a precious ingredient in food preparations, perfumery, health foods, medicines and beverages. They are available in different colors. The color depends on how they are processed: green cardamom is sun-dried (preferred in India); brown cardamom is oven-dried (most popular elsewhere in Asia and in Europe) ; and white cardamom (United States) is bleached. Large cardamom quality characteristics are different from that of small cardamom. The fruit is 4 to 6 times size of small cardamom. Valued for its acceptable taste, flavor and aroma, large cardamom is used in rice preparations and meat dishes, besides a wide range of beverages and sweets..