Fragrant, sweet, and elegantly warm – cardamom is a spice steeped in ancient tradition and modern wellness. Used in our Signature Velora Tea, it’s more than an aromatic—it’s a story, a legacy, and a natural remedy passed down through centuries.
A Spice of History and Heritage
Cardamom has traveled through centuries and civilizations, earning names like the “Queen of Spices” and “Grains of Paradise.” Its story begins in the lush rainforests of the Western Ghats in southern India, where it grew wild and was revered in ancient Ayurvedic medicine for its digestive and purifying properties.
As early as 3000 BCE, cardamom was mentioned in Vedic texts as a sacred spice, often used in rituals, incense, and elixirs. It was prized not just for its aroma and flavour, but also for its ability to harmonize the body’s internal systems—a principle still respected in holistic wellness today.
During the era of the Silk Road and the Spice Route, cardamom pods became a highly sought-after commodity. Traders ferried them through Arabia, where they infused coffee and perfumes, and onward to Greece and Rome, where cardamom was used in cooking, medicine, and even cosmetics. Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder wrote of its value, and ancient physicians like Hippocrates prescribed it for stomach and respiratory ailments.
By the Middle Ages, it was one of the most expensive spices in Europe—used by royalty in stews, wines, and potpourri. In the Ottoman Empire, cardamom was a staple in Turkish coffee, while in Persia and South Asia, it became integral to both sweet and savoury dishes, as well as ceremonial teas.
Its global reach expanded even further during colonial trade expansion. When the British East India Company began controlling the spice trade, cardamom was cultivated more systematically in Kerala, a region still famed for producing some of the world’s finest pods.
💡 Fun Fact: In ancient Egypt, cardamom was chewed as a natural breath freshener and included in the embalming process of pharaohs.
Today, while Guatemala is the world’s largest exporter (a result of 20th-century transplanting by German settlers), India remains the spiritual and cultural heart of cardamom production.
How Cardamom is Grown
Cardamom thrives in humid, high-altitude tropical forests, often beneath a canopy of shade trees. Grown primarily in southern India and Guatemala, the process is delicate and labour-intensive:
- Harvested by hand during cool early mornings
- Pods dried carefully to preserve essential oils
- Sorted and graded before export
There are two main types:
- Green cardamom: Sweet, light, and fragrant—used in desserts and tea (like ours!)
- Black cardamom: Smokier and bolder, often used in savoury dishes
Health Benefits of Cardamom
This spice doesn’t just taste incredible—it comes with a long list of benefits, many of which are now backed by science:
🌿 A Soothing Aid for Digestion
Cardamom is best known for its digestive benefits. It stimulates the secretion of bile and gastric juices, helping your body break down food more efficiently. Its natural carminative properties ease gas, bloating, indigestion, and nausea.
In traditional remedies, cardamom is often consumed after meals to calm the stomach—especially when heavy or oily foods are involved.
🔗 Study – Phytotherapy Research, 2014
❤️ Heart-healthy and Blood Pressure Friendly
Cardamom is rich in antioxidants and contains diuretic properties, both of which may help lower blood pressure naturally. A study in hypertensive patients showed that consuming cardamom daily significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure over 12 weeks.
Its antioxidant effects also protect the heart by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress—two major contributors to cardiovascular disease.
🔗 Study – Indian J. of Biochemistry & Biophysics, 2009
🌬️ Respiratory Relief and Lung Support
Cardamom contains compounds that act as natural bronchodilators, helping open airways and making breathing easier. It has traditionally been used to treat asthma, coughs, bronchitis, and congestion by reducing inflammation in the lungs and promoting mucus clearance.
The warming and slightly pungent nature of cardamom also makes it a popular addition to herbal teas during cold and flu season.
🔗 Study – Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2006
😌 Mood Lifting and Mental Clarity
The scent and oils of cardamom can stimulate the brain and uplift the mood. Traditionally used to relieve anxiety, depression, and mental fatigue, its essential oil has been shown to increase levels of serotonin and dopamine—the “feel-good” brain chemicals.
Whether inhaled as part of aromatherapy or consumed in a warming cup of tea, cardamom offers a natural way to bring calm and focus into your day.
🔗 Study – Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine, 2012
Why We Use It in Velora Tea
In our Signature Velora Tea blend, cardamom plays a central role—not just for taste but for balance. It harmonizes with the gentle floral notes of rose and the richness of saffron, resulting in a cup that soothes the body and uplifts the spirit.
Whether you drink it to unwind or to energize, cardamom brings both grounding and lightness to the experience.
More Ingredients to Explore
Curious about the other botanicals in our blend?
👉 Read about Saffron – The Golden Spice
Try the Tea that Celebrates Cardamom
Taste the balance of tradition and wellness in every sip.
🛍️ Shop Signature Velora Tea