Suma Organic Green Cardamom Pods 10gIngredients: Green cardamonsAllergy Information: For allergens, see ingredients highlighted in bold in the ingredients list.Cardamom, also known as the queen of spices is distinguished by its papery, green pods which encase the spicy black seeds. It is the third most expensive spice in the world by weight, right behind vanilla and saffron, with a price tag of about $30 per pound. There are two types of cardamom: black and green. The green, small ones are used commonly in sweet dishes, teas and other beverages, while the black cardamom is larger, and has a stronger flavour. It is used in heavily spices Indian dishes such as biryani and various curries. Storage of Cardamom Both green and brown cardamoms are easily available in the market, all year round. The trick to checking if the pods are fresh or not, is to rub a single pod between the fingertips; if it secretes a sweet fragrance, it is fresh.You can store cardamom in airtight jars. Just keep it away from sunlight and moisture. Health Benefits of Cardamom With its carminative properties, cardamom is great for helping digestion. It prevents stomach infections and reduces bloating. It also improves appetite. Chewing on cardamom pods is known to freshen up breath. Rich sources of manganese, cardamoms destroy the free radicals and help detoxify the body. They are also good for your kidney health. Regular consumption of cardamom reduces hypertension, improves blood circulation and removes skin blemishes. In aromatherapy, cardamom essential oil is used as an anti-depressant. Research has shown that the antimicrobial properties of cardamom effectively inhibit the growth of harmful microbes which, if left unchecked, can lead to food poisoning. Cardamom is also used as a remedy for a sore throat.