If you have a well stocked spice closet, you’ll know how expensive ground cardamom can be. Only saffron and vanilla beans are more expensive by weight. Unless you use it regularly (like weekly) the ground cardamom is likely to lose its potency before it’s consumed. The solution is to buy the pods which last longer and can also be used whole.
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Jiva Organics Cardamom Pods come vacuum sealed and as soon as you open the package you’ll be surrounded by the unmistakable aroma of cardamom. Other cardamom pods I’ve purchased were more dry with a less intense aroma. The freshness translated directly to the intense flavor. Cardamom is commonly used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine as a flavoring for both sweet and savory dishes like curries and pilafs. It’s often used to flavor coffees and teas and is a dominate flavor in your favorite chai latte. In Europe it’s typically used in baking.
Making your own cardamom powder is easy. Count out 20 pods for every tablespoon of ground cardamom needed. Use a mortar and pestle to gently crush the pods, then remove the seeds and grind them. You’ll find it easy to remove the large pieces from the pods and any small bits won’t affect the flavor much.
The pods can also be used whole. Rick likes to add a few cardamom pods, a couple peppercorns and star anise to rice in order to flavor it. You can also use Jiva Organics Cardamom Pods pods along with other spices to make your own chai concentrate. It’s just a matter of making a concentrated brew of tea and your choice of spices. The resulting concentrate is then stored in the refrigerator until needed to mix with your favorite milk (try it with almond milk, it’s aMAZing!). You can serve the chai hot or over ice.
Ingredients
- 4 1/2 cups water
- 10 small black tea bags we use Red Rose decaffeinated
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- 8 whole Jiva Organics Cardamom pods
- 4 whole cloves
- 3 whole star anise
- 3 - 4 whole black peppercorns
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1 vanilla bean scraped (2 teaspoons vanilla extract)
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan.
- Add the tea bags and the cinnamon, ginger, cardamom pods, cloves, star anise, peppercorns and nutmeg.
- Allow to steep for 15 minutes.
- Strain the concentrate into another container (I use a quart mason jar) and add the orange zest, brown sugar and vanilla. Stir to combine.
- Store the chai tea concentrate in the refrigerator.
- To serve, mix about 50/50 with your choice of milk. Chai is enjoyable at any temperature.
I am very pleased with the quality of Jiva Organics Cardamom Pods Pods and will seek out this brand when it comes time to make another purchase. That’s the highest endorsement I can make.
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