IngredientsSpices
Kardamomcardamom
The pod of Elettaria cardamomum, a relative of ginger. The black seeds inside do the seasoning, not the husk.
The tone comes from cineole: floral, resinous, with a cool edge close to eucalyptus.
In der deutschen Küchein German cooking
Christmas baking first: Lebkuchen, Stollen, Spekulatius. It works next to cinnamon and clove and keeps the blend open.
On the savoury side it goes into the Weisswurst mix and into some sausage seasonings. A knife tip is enough, more turns the dish perfumed.
Kaufenwhere to buy
Cardamomo is sold in tiendas de especias, in City Market and on Mercado Libre.
It is expensive. Buy small amounts, and buy green pods rather than a tin of ready ground powder.
Vorsichtwatch out
Ground cardamom fades fast. Toast the pods briefly, crack them in a mortar, pick out the seeds and grind them then.
Black cardamom is a different species: larger, smoky from fire drying. For Lebkuchen it is the wrong one.