Useful properties of spices
Cardamom has a positive effect on the human body. It helps stimulate the digestive system, speeds up metabolism, and helps the body get rid of toxins. Nutritionists have long known about its properties, who recommend that patients regularly add it to drinks and desserts. Previously, healers used it to treat inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity and infections that cause coughing.
Another atypical effect of cardamom: it neutralizes caffeine. So if you are sensitive to caffeinated drinks, flavor them with cardamom. This will help cope with heart palpitations and solve sleep problems.
So that you are finally convinced of the benefits of coffee with cardamom, we have prepared a complete list of the healing properties of this spice:
- calms the nervous system;
- relieves the oral cavity of unpleasant odors;
- resists colds;
- relieves toothache;
- softens cough.
Benefits of use
By consuming cardamom as a food additive, you can achieve the following effects:
- The nervous system restores its functioning.
- The condition associated with depression disappears.
- There is a more active function of brain structures.
- There is a more intense removal of mucus from the body in asthmatics and people with pathology of the bronchial apparatus.
- Tissue swelling is reduced.
- There is a correction of unpleasant phenomena associated with digestion.
- The body begins to remove toxins more actively, which certainly leads to a decrease in excess body weight.
There is anecdotal evidence that cardamom reduces the risk of blood clots. When consumed, a slight analgesic effect is observed and peripheral blood pressure returns to normal. Spicy herb acts as an aphrodisiac and is used to solve problems related to potency.
Anyone who prefers coffee in combination with cardamom is doing quite wisely, since the medicinal properties in the herb remain unchanged in the cup of coffee. At the same time, the body is filled with healing power.
Little secrets from the barista
You should start by choosing good coffee; you don’t need to get hung up on a specific variety, take the one you like. Coffee with cardamom was glorified by the Israelis and Syrians. It was from these countries that the love for the fiery, slightly thick spiced drink spread throughout the world. Therefore, this drink is often called Syrian or Israeli coffee. Traditionally it is served in small cups and very hot, complemented by traditional sweets.
Harm and contraindications
Oriental spice has many beneficial properties, but the negative impact of its use can also manifest itself. Due to the presence of essential oils in cardamom, after drinking a cup of coffee with seasoning, irritation of the mucous membranes of the stomach and intestines is possible, which can have a positive effect on the condition of a healthy person. And for people with gastrointestinal problems, the consequences can be unpleasant, so they are not recommended to drink such a drink.
A strict contraindication to drinking coffee with cardamom is peptic ulcers and gastritis at any stage of manifestation.
Cardamom has a choleretic effect, so if you have gallstones, you should not drink coffee with spice.
People suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system should refrain from drinking the drink, since cardamom has a pronounced tonic effect on blood vessels.
Thus, strict contraindications to drinking coffee with cardamom include the following conditions:
- pancreatitis, gallbladder diseases;
- increased acidity and gastritis;
- conditions accompanied by jumps in heart rate;
- hypertension;
- intestinal or stomach ulcer;
- hypersensitivity to spices or allergies.
Cardamom is known as a strong allergen. It causes strong reactions in many. Therefore, when drinking spiced coffee for the first time, you should carefully monitor your body’s reaction.
Children tend to react strongly to cardamom in foods and drinks. Therefore, you should not overuse spice in your child’s diet.
Classic recipe
This is perhaps the most common recipe for coffee with cardamom “Arabic style”; it can be considered a classic. We will need:
- ground coffee – 2 tsp. with a slide;
- purified water – 150 ml;
- whole cardamom – 5 grains.
- Open the cardamom seeds and pour their contents into a pot, add ground coffee and place on low heat.
- As soon as the kitchen is filled with the aroma of spices, pour in water.
- Wait for the foam to appear and turn it off without allowing the drink to boil. Serve in small coffee cups.
The amount of cardamom can be adjusted according to your taste. Start with five, as indicated in the recipe; if the taste does not seem bright enough, try adding ten grains.
With cinnamon and cardamom
Coffee with cinnamon and cardamom is also popular. To prepare it you will need:
- ground coffee – 2 tsp. with a slide;
- purified water – 150 ml;
- cardamom grains – 5 pcs.;
- cinnamon stick – 1 pc.
- Heat the coffee and cardamom in the Turk and reduce the heat to low, feeling the aroma.
- Throw in a cinnamon stick and pour in water.
- You need to prepare coffee with cardamom on the lowest possible heat. When the drink begins to boil as desired, add sugar, stir and remove from heat.
What is the secret of the exceptional taste of coffee with cardamom boxes?
It’s easy to brew coffee with a delicate bitterness, a sharp aftertaste and the spicy aroma of oriental spices. But if you expand your knowledge of how to use cardamom in coffee brewing, coffee will only benefit from it.
Cardamom provides exquisite tartness and a persistent aroma. If you don't guess the right amount of spice for one serving, you can lose the coffee taste. If this supplement is new to you, start with a small pinch of cardamom powder or one box of cardamom per cup.
Cardamom contains complex aromatic substances and esters, which are responsible for the exquisite taste of the prepared drink. But when exposed to high temperatures (over 90⁰C), they are completely destroyed. Therefore, to obtain delicious cardamom coffee, the recipe should include slow cooking of the drink over low heat.
Cardamom, like other spices, quickly loses its aroma and taste during storage, especially if it is crushed. If you want to taste not just ordinary coffee, but real Arabic coffee with cardamom, use only freshly ground or whole fruits.
For coffee beans with cardamom, the presence of other spices is acceptable. A cinnamon stick, a slice of ginger, and star anise help make the drink divine. Adding black or pink peppercorns and nutmeg will add unusual notes.
You need to add cardamom to coffee at the initial stage of brewing so that the spice has time to release its esters and bitterness. For preparation, it is advisable to take a Turk, but you can use not entirely authentic devices - a French press or a moka coffee pot.
In Roman coffee shops, coffee with cardamom is in demand, the recipe of which differs from the original version. A box of cardamom is ground with citrus juice, and then poured into brewed coffee powder. The result is a tropical infusion with oriental overtones.
Israeli coffee with cardamom and chocolate
Let's move on to non-standard recipes. To prepare a drink according to this recipe, take:
- ground coffee – 2 tsp;
- clean water - 1 glass;
- milk – ½ cup;
- dark chocolate – 75 g (half a bar);
- cardamom – 5 grains;
- allspice cloves – 3 pcs.
- Melt the chocolate in a water bath. If there is no bitter one, you can replace it with milk. The only requirement is that the tiles must be without fillers.
- Meanwhile, mix all the dry ingredients in a pot, add water and place on the stove.
- When the chocolate becomes liquid, add half a glass of milk and mix thoroughly.
- After the coffee has boiled, pour it into cups and add the chocolate mixture to it.
It makes sense to serve such a drink in a large mug; it will add warmth and comfort to the atmosphere.
How to select and store coffee
Coffee is produced from the fruits of Robusta and Arabica, two varieties of the coffee tree. The choice of one type of grain or another is based on individual preferences.
Arabica is characterized by a rich sweet and sour flavor with hints of bitterness. The plant is very capricious in breeding, and the grains of this variety can be distinguished by their elongated shape.
Robusta trees are less demanding in terms of growing conditions; they can withstand temperature changes and weather vagaries. This type of coffee can be distinguished by its round-shaped beans; they contain more caffeine and their taste is bitter.
100% Arabica is considered the most elite, however, the same variety grown on different continents, under different weather conditions, can differ significantly in taste.
When choosing coffee in a store, it is important to pay attention to the packaging. Access to oxygen and light inside the pack mercilessly destroys the taste of the future drink. Coffee connoisseurs under no circumstances buy beans by weight. High-quality packaging is made of foil in three layers and is equipped with a valve, which is designed to allow carbon dioxide to escape from the pack.
An important criterion when choosing coffee is the degree of roasting. This indicator is influenced by the amount of essential oils contained in the grains. The indicator can be found on the packaging - it is designated by numbers (from 1 to 5) in increasing order of degree of roasting. When choosing, you should take into account that after processing, the grains retain their aroma for 30 days, so you should pay attention to the date.
Whole beans best retain the taste and aroma of the future drink, while ground coffee loses most of its organoleptic qualities almost immediately after grinding. Fine espresso is considered ideal for preparing a drink from ground raw materials, and the coarsest and cheapest raw material is coarsely ground coffee, which is ground for 10 seconds.
It is not uncommon to find watered down coffee. The ground product can be checked at home for the presence of foreign impurities. To do this you need to place 0.5 tsp. purchased coffee in a glass of cold water. A counterfeit product will give the liquid a brown tint, but real coffee will not release pigment until heat treatment.
When choosing a spice for preparing a coffee drink, you should also pay attention to the quality of the product. Whole grains without damage, with a persistent spicy aroma, can be used for cooking. If there are notes of mold in the smell, and the grain shell is interspersed or chipped, it is better to avoid such a product. Ground cardamom, packaged in separate packages, makes consumer choice easier. It can be immediately used to prepare aromatic coffee.
Coffee storage
Coffee beans are a delicate product that requires individual storage conditions. Even a small amount of air can ruin the taste of the drink.
If storage conditions are not observed, coffee beans absorb moisture from the environment and after a short period of time become unsuitable for preparation. In addition, coffee can lose its aroma and taste due to the evaporation of essential oils and absorb foreign odors. Such a product will unpleasantly surprise you with an aftertaste mixed with third-party aromas.
Foil or vacuum packaging is most suitable for storing coffee beans. The product can be stored in an airtight container for about a year and should be used within 3 weeks once the package is opened. These are terms for rooms with an average temperature of 22°C and normal air humidity. Glass jars with a tight-fitting lid are also suitable for storing coffee.
Coffee beans can be frozen. Vacuum packaging is suitable for this. Freezing should be done in small portions, placing containers in the freezer. Once defrosted and ground, this coffee is not suitable for storage and should be consumed immediately.
Video:
how to choose the best coffee Expand
With added ginger
Another interesting option for coffee with cardamom is created by adding a spicy note of ginger root. We will need:
- coffee - 1 tbsp. l.;
- clean water – 1 glass;
- ginger root – 3 cm;
- cardamom, cloves – 3 pcs.;
- cinnamon sticks – 1 pc.
- Pour a glass of water into a Turk and add cardamom and cloves, bring to a boil and set aside for thirty minutes.
- Peel the ginger root and chop it finely. Transfer it to a small container and pour 50 ml of boiling water.
- Combine both infusions in a Turk, adding a cinnamon stick, and after the first signs of boiling appear, turn it off.
- Add a little milk or sugar if desired. This drink comes in very handy during a cold.
With honey and cream
For a severe cough and irritated throat, coffee with honey and cream is recommended. We will need:
- ground coffee – 1 tsp;
- purified water – 200 ml;
- butter – 1 tbsp. l;
- honey - to taste;
- cream 33% fat – 30 ml;
- ground cardamom - a couple of pinches.
- Brew classic coffee with the addition of cardamom in a Turk.
- Remove from heat at the first sign of boiling and let stand for ten minutes.
- Then add honey and cream. It is very important not to put honey in boiling water, because high temperature destroys its benefits.
- If desired, sprinkle the foam with cocoa powder.
This drink will alleviate pain and help the body cope with ailments and colds.
With added lemon
Spicy lemon coffee will definitely surprise you with its unusual taste.
We will need:
- ground coffee – 1 tbsp. l.;
- lemon – 2 slices;
- purified water – 1 glass;
- milk – ¼ cup;
- honey - to taste;
- cardamom - a pinch.
- Place lemon slices and cardamom in a small saucepan, add a glass of water and bring to a boil.
- Pour the resulting liquid into a Turkish pot, after removing the lemon, add coffee and cook in the classic way.
As with the previous recipe, it is important to let the coffee cool slightly before adding honey to preserve the benefits of this product. It is better to add milk directly to the cup and also to slightly cooled coffee so that it does not curdle.
Cardamom coffee in all its different variations is a delicious drink that will warm up winter evenings. But remember that, despite all the beneficial properties of cardamom, you should not abuse drinks containing caffeine. Recent data suggests that an adult can afford no more than three full cups of this invigorating drink per day. Try to limit yourself to the recommended amount. Then you will not have problems with sleep or blood pressure.