GREEN CARDAMOM CHAI

Green Cardamom Chai

Green cardamom chai is a popular steaming hot brewed tea made with green cardamom, fresh ginger and milk. Each ingredient adds its subtle flavor and changes to give their unique flavor which is refreshing, soothing and delicious.

Chai or Tea is an excellent beverage served steaming hot and helps in digestion and enhances immune function. Chai is the most common beverage available in many parts of India and around the world. Chai or tea is a rich and complex beverage that has been savored for centuries especially in India. In its basic form, tea is black tea that is brewed strong with a combination of spices and is diluted with milk and sugar. The spices can vary from recipe to recipe like Adrak chai (ginger tea), Masala chai (tea made with mixed spiced), Elaichi chai (cardamom tea), kawah chai (a special tea combined with tea leaves, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Black Pepper, Almond Flakes, and Saffron).

Green cardamom chai is a very common and popularly made tea is most of the households in India. Cardamom is used all over the globe for different digestive ailments and when we feel icky. It’s a super simple chai taste fantastic with the sweet and strong flavors of green cardamom and fresh ginger. Chai is traditionally consumed hot and sweet and the sweetness is required to bring out the full flavors of the spices. Any spices like cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, pepper and ginger can be added in tea to enhance its flavors.

Green Cardamom has a strong, unique taste with an intensely aromatic, resinous fragrance and is used extensively in most of the Indian sweet recipes also. Cardamom is best stored in pod form because once the seeds are exposed or ground they quickly lose their flavor. Green cardamom chai is commonly known as Elaichi chai in Hindi all over India. Cardamom is highly aromatic spice which is most commonly used in Eastern, Arab and few Scandinavian cuisines. Its unique slightly sweet and savory flavor allows combining with both sweet and savory dishes. Cardamom seeds ability to enhance many types of food is why it is combined to a wide variety of other ingredients from seafood to sauces, vegetables, meats and desserts, pastries and other baking products.

For preparing this delicious and steaming hot green cardamom chai, firstly add cardamom, fresh ginger, and water together and bring to a boil. Simmer on low flame for 5 minutes and then add milk and sugar and bring to a boil again. Add tea powder and bring to boil again. Lastly strain it into a warmed teapot or directly into tea cups and serve with hot samosa or cilantro chutney sandwiches. Chai or tea tastes wonderful accompanied with any snack or biscuits.

For all who still have not learnt how to make the green cardamom chai, do try this recipe and serve to your family. You will surely acquire all the medicinal and health benefits from the green cardamom. Click on the below link for detailed recipe:

http://www.vahrehvah.com/Green+Cardamom+Chai:602

In South Asia, green cardamom is often used in traditional Indian sweets and in Masala chai (spiced tea). Black cardamom is sometimes used in garam masala for curries. It is occasionally used as a garnish in basmati rice and other dishes. It is often referred to as fat cardamom due to its size (‘Moti Elaichi’). Cardamom spice has a complex flavor that can be described as slightly sweet, floral, and spicy with citric elements. It leaves the tongue with a warm antiseptic sensation similar to eucalyptus with an additional peppery after taste.

There are several types of cardamoms depending upon how the cardamom seed pods are treated that includes green cardamom (are more expensive than the other mainly for their superior ability to retain aroma and flavor longer. It is the premium form of cardamom and is the connoisseurs that can be used in any recipe which calls for cardamom), black cardamom (is not a suitable substitute in recipes that call for cardamom. Its flavor is much earthier with sweetness and a flowery accent that is different from that of true cardamoms. It is an ingredient used in some African cooking and abroad to add bacon like flavor to some vegetarian dishes), white cardamom (can be found in the United States and Europe that has been bleached to achieve its color, or lack of it. It is often used in baking and some desserts because its color helps keep light colored batters, sauces, and confections speck free).

Cardamom is known as Ela in ayurveda. Ela is very effective in treating ailments related with stomach, skin and heart. Consumption of cardamom tea is very beneficial if you are suffering from stomach cramps or gastric problems. Due to its detoxifying properties cardamom is useful for cleansing of body. It also improves circulation of blood and ensures proper blood supply to lungs.

Cardamom works as a good appetizer due to its sweet and aromatic qualities. Overall Green cardamom is broadly used in South Asia to treat infections in teeth and gums, to prevent and treat throat troubles, congestion of the lungs and pulmonary tuberculosis, inflammation of eyelids and also digestive disorders in a natural way.