Elettaria cardamomum
Cardamom
Eucalyptus, lemon, a resinous green that stays on the fingers.
Where it comes from. The Malabar coast, then Indonesia: the spice of Ginny’s mother’s table.
The mistake everyone makes. Grinding it days ahead. Cardamom dies within three hours off the pestle.
An unexpected Italian use. In rice pudding with figs and almonds; in a béchamel for pumpkin lasagne.
The recipe. Milk, rice, crushed green cardamom, figs, almonds. The dessert Ginny made for Gambero Rosso.
More spices
SaffronCrocus sativus
NutmegMyristica fragrans
Black pepperPiper nigrum
CinnamonCinnamomum verum
ClovesSyzygium aromaticum
Wild fennelFoeniculum vulgare
ChiliCapsicum annuum
CuminCuminum cyminum
CorianderCoriandrum sativum
Star aniseIllicium verum
TurmericCurcuma longa
Tonka beanDipteryx odorata
Long pepperPiper longum
SumacRhus coriaria
FenugreekTrigonella foenum-graecum