Black cardamom (Amomum villosum)

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Other names: Sha Ren, Amoni fructus

Black cardamom, also known as Sha Ren or Amoni fructus, is an aromatic spice made from the seeds of the Amomum villosum plant. It comes from the ginger family and is considered one of the most expensive spices in the world. It is native to South and Southeast Asia, especially China, where it has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. Its distinctive flavour is much more intense and robust than the popular green cardamom and has a characteristic smoky, almost menthol-like note.

In the culinary arts, black cardamom is mainly used in Indian, Chinese and Vietnamese cuisines. It is an indispensable component of the traditional Indian spice blend Garam Masala and is also often included in various curry pastes. It is often added to legume dishes, unadulterated basmati rice or heavy meat dishes where its strong, almost smoky aroma can balance the heavy and rich flavours. In Chinese cuisine, it is often used to flavour spicy soups or various meats. Due to its medicinal properties, it is also used in herbal medicine and is made into an oil that is often used in aromatherapy.