True Cardamom is harvested from the dried fruit of the Elettaria cardamomum plant. The cardamom plant begins flowering at 2-3 years of age from the base of the plant. The white flowers appear in spring and summer. Flowering to harvest period is approximately 120 days. The spice is has a very pleasant aroma and flavor, and is commonly referred to as the Queen of Spices. Cardamom spice is used to flavor many foods and drinks.

NOTE: Many plants being sold as cardamom are not true cardamom. Be sure you are buying Elettaria cardamomum, which is True Cardamom. Alpinia nutans among others are sold as cardamom, and they are a false cardamom. True Cardamom will have flowers that form at the base of the plant.