Cardamom

Cardamom
True Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Monocots
(unranked):	Commelinids
Order:	Zingiberales
Family:	Zingiberaceae

Cardamom is the name used for two herbs related to ginger. Their seeds are used as a spice. The two species are named Elettaria and Amomum. The seeds grow in a small seedpod. This seedpod is triangular in cross-section and has the shape of a spindle. There is a thin papery outer shell and small black seeds. Elettaria pods are light green in color, Amomum pods are larger and dark brown.

Elettaria is commonly known as cardamom, green cardamom or true cardamom. It grows from India to Malaysia.

Amomum is usually called black cardamom, or white cardamom. It grows in Asia and Australia.