Cook With Elaichi: Easy Ways To Add Cardamom To Your Meals 

Cardamom, or elaichi, is an ever-familiar spice in our Indian kitchens, whose sweet aroma and unique flavour need no introduction. Whether it is a pinch of cardamom powder in your tea or a few whole pods in your biryani, this spice holds pride of place in Indian kitchens. But beyond the usual tea or dessert, many of us wonder how we can use elaichi to spice up some of the regular food items that we eat. Be it in savoury dishes or the most unlikely recipes, adding elaichi will not only enhance the flavour but it will also provide a number of health benefits. This spice is a lot more versatile than you sometimes think, and once you start experimenting, you'll come to realize more and more that a little elaichi can go a long way. 

The Use of Elaichi in Indian Cuisine 

Elaichi forms an integral part of Indian cuisine, from sweet dishes to savoury ones. It is also added to various traditional sweets like kheer, halwa, and ladoos in North India. In South Indian cuisine, elaichi forms an integral part of payasam and biryani. The warm, citrusy, slightly spicy flavour of cardamom goes well with rich and hearty recipes. Elaichi forms part of various spice mixes of masalas, lending a fragrant note to curries and stews. Sometimes it may even be added to beverages like chai for flavour. 

How to Include Cardamom in Your Diet 

With Your Morning Tea 

One of the most preferred ways through which elaichi is consumed is through your chai. You can add a few pods of crushed cardamom to your tea leaves as they are getting steeped. It gives out a nice fragrance and flavour that provides immense relief during winter. 

Spice Up Your Biryani and Pulao

For savoury, whole elaichi pods are added to preparations of rice dishes like biryani and pulao. The pods cook in dishes and leave an aroma that makes every bite of the dish fragrant; be sure to remove the pods before serving, as they are overbearingly sweet when bitten directly. 

Dress up desserts 

Elaichi powder is used generously in sweets like gulab jamun, kheer, and gajar halwa. Even a small pinch can turn a plain dessert into an explosion of flavours. It can be sprinkled on fruit salads for added taste or combined in smoothies to give it a refreshing touch. 

In Masala Milk 

Cardamom goes very well with milk. Take warm milk, add saffron, a pinch of elaichi powder, and almonds to make a warm, comforting drink before bedtime. Not only will it improve the taste but also aid digestion. 

In Baking 

Elaichi is not only confined to Indian recipes but you can try steeping cardamom in cakes, cookies, and bread. It has a sweet, spicy flavor and balances baked goods while giving an Indian essence to foreign desserts. 

Cardamom Benefits 

Promotes Digestion 

Elaichi has been traditionally used as a digestive aid. It provokes digestive enzymes, erases bloating, and reduces gas, which makes it very effective after heavy or rich meals. 

Packed with Antioxidants 

Cardamom is packed with antioxidants that help fight off free radicals in your body. These antioxidants help with better skin health and protect your body from inflammation and chronic diseases. 

Aids in Detoxification

Elachi works as a natural detoxifier by helping your body clear of toxins. This ingredient is good for your liver because it supports the function of the liver to filter out toxins from your blood. 

Improves Oral Health

One of the traditional Indian uses of cardamom is freshening one's breath. Chewing a pod of elaichi after food helps get rid of bad breath and maintains oral hygiene by killing harmful bacteria in your mouth. 

Supports Heart Health

Elaichi has been shown to lower blood pressure and help with circulation. Its anti-inflammatory properties make it support heart health on the whole, and hence, it is a must-add to your diet.