Cardamom is one of those spices you may have tried before without even realizing it. This spice, made from the seeds of several species in the ginger family, is sometimes found in homemade pumpkin spice blends that add a “warm” flavor to drinks like a pumpkin spice latte. Cardamom is also commonly used in Indian cuisine, such as in savory dishes like curries and stews. For me, cardamom is one of those spices I’ve passed by dozens of times in the grocery store but never really acknowledged (or purchased).
But can you add this spice to your coffee? Coffee experts and health professionals say cardamom and coffee could be the perfect pairing, adding a warm, citrusy flavor to your coffee while also offering numerous health benefits. Here’s what you need to know before adding cardamom to your coffee.
What does cardamom in coffee taste like?
“Cardamom adds a warm, citrusy, and floral note that balances out coffee’s bitterness. It’s popular in Middle Eastern traditions. You can stir ground cardamom into coffee, sprinkle it over a latte, or use it in cold brew,” says Helen Tieu, RD and founder of Diet Redefined. “Cardamom in coffee pairs well with sweet flavours such as cinnamon, honey, chocolate, vanilla; nutty flavours such as pistachio and almonds; and fruity notes such as lemon, orange, and raspberry.
Trista Best, RD at Balance One Supplements, says adding cardamom to coffee is a practice that can be traced back to the ancient Middle East, but has come full circle, making a recent comeback in modern health and wellness circles.
“Adding cardamom to coffee is said to balance coffee’s acidity while providing the consumer with antioxidants that support digestion and heart health,” she says.
Cardamom and coffee: Health benefits
According to Tieu, adding cardamom to coffee not only helps to enhance the flavour and taste of coffee, but it can also provide health benefits. Research suggests that caradmom contains antioxidants, anti-inflammatory compounds, and antimicrobial compounds, as well as helping aid in indigestion, gas, bloating, boosting heart health, reducing blood pressure, and reducing inflammation.
“Pairing cardamom with coffee can help to reduce the acidity and digestive side effects for sensitive people. The amount of cardamom added to coffee is typically small, though it’s a great way to incorporate a small health boost in your day-to-day drink, and an excellent alternative to cream or sugar,” says Tieu.
Dr. Sandip Sachar, a cosmetic dentist in NYC, says that adding caramom into coffee can also have some surprising effects on improving oral hygiene. “In my practice, I have many patients who enjoy coffee regularly, and most daily. Coffee can be rough on teeth. It can stain tooth enamel and contribute to a more acidic environment in the mouth.”
“Cardamom not only enhances the flavor of your coffee with a slightly sweet taste and aromatic profile, but also introduces compounds that may counteract some of the side effects of coffee by freshening breath and reducing bacterial growth,” she shares. In addition, the natural antimicrobial properties found in cardamom may help reduce oral bacteria that can contribute to bad breath, tooth decay, and gum inflammation.
How to add cardamom to coffee
Want to add a touch of cardamom to your morning cup of joe? There are many ways you can add this spice to your coffee routine. Rachael Miller, nutritionist and owner at Zhi Herbals, says black coffee drinkers can start by adding cardamom powder directly to black coffee. Caradmom powder can easily be purchased online or at any grocery store. For those who prefer a hint of creaminess in their coffee, she recommends combining cardamom with milk to help the flavors really shine.
“In a latte, the steamed milk will have a sweetness from the heated milk sugars, which will help to counteract bitterness from both the coffee and cardamom. I like cardamom best when combined with dark roasts, as this creates the most flavor contrast,” says Miller. “Remember, cardamom is an ingredient in most, but not all, pumpkin spice mixes. If you’ve had a pumpkin spice latte before and noticed a bright, crisp top note flavor, you may have already tasted how cardamom and coffee combine.”
Other ways to use cardamom in coffee
You can also opt to use whole cardamom seeds in coffee instead of using ground cardamom. This method requires adding whole cardamom pods to whole bean coffee before grinding. If you’re new to adding cardamom to coffee, start with a small amount, such as one cardamom pod per cup of coffee. If using a drip coffee maker, you can also try adding lightly crushed cardamom pods directly into the coffee filter before you brew.
For cold coffee drinkers, ground cardamom can also pair nicely when mixed into frothed milk. Whether you choose to add cardamom to coffee before or after brewing is up to personal preference. Either way, it’s best to start slowly to determine how strong a taste you prefer.
