Cardamom

You can buy green cardamom pods online at Velspices.com.au. We stock green cardamom (elaichi) pods, black cardamom, cardamom powder, and cardamom seeds, all available for delivery across Australia.

Green cardamom has a bright, floral, sweet-spicy aroma and is used in chai, biryani, Indian sweets, and desserts. Black cardamom has a larger pod with a smoky, earthy, camphor-like flavour — used in meat curries, biryani, and savoury spice blends. They are different species and not interchangeable.

Elaichi is the Hindi name for cardamom — specifically green cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum). Elaichi pods are the small green pods containing aromatic black seeds. Elaichi is used extensively in Indian cooking, tea, and desserts.

Whole cardamom pods can be added directly to biryani, curries, and rice dishes during cooking — they infuse the dish with fragrance but are not typically eaten whole. For chai, lightly bruise the pods before adding to the pot. For desserts and baking, remove the seeds and grind them to a fine powder.

Freshly ground cardamom has significantly more aroma and flavour than pre-ground powder. If possible, buy whole pods or seeds and grind them yourself just before use in a spice grinder or mortar and pestle. Pre-ground cardamom powder is more convenient but loses potency within 6-12 months of opening.

Cardamom is the primary flavouring in many Indian desserts. It's used in kheer (rice pudding), halwa, ladoo, barfi, gulab jamun, payasam, and chai. Its distinctive floral-sweet aroma is inseparable from the flavour of authentic Indian mithai and beverages.

Yes, cardamom has a range of health benefits recognised in Ayurvedic medicine. It aids digestion, freshens breath (which is why cardamom is the primary ingredient in many Indian mouth fresheners), may help regulate blood pressure, and has antioxidant properties. It's also a natural breath freshener — chewing a cardamom pod after meals is a traditional South Asian practice.

Store green cardamom pods in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. Whole pods retain their aroma for 1-2 years. Once you grind the seeds, ground cardamom starts losing potency after a few months, so only grind what you need.

Yes, Velspices offers cardamom in a range of pack sizes. For bulk quantities for restaurants, catering, or large-scale cooking, browse our bulk products or contact us directly.

Yes, Velspices delivers cardamom and all Indian spices across Australia. Orders over $50 ship free in Melbourne metro. Nationwide shipping rates apply for customers in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, and other locations.