Cardamom updates

Cardamom is the 'Queen of Spices' as it is one of the most exotic and highly prized spices. Cardamom plants normally start bearing two years after planting. There are three distinctive types of cardamom grown in India viz., Malabar, Mysore and Ceylon type. The two major commercial varieties of small cardamom in the world are the Malabar and the Guatemalan.

Indian cardamom is slightly smaller, but more aromatic. Guatemala, India, Tanzania, Sri Lanka, El Salvador, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Papua New Guinea are the major cardamom growing countries. World production of cardamom is estimated at 30000 -35000 MT. Guatemala produces nearly two-third of the total global cardamom production. Its production has increased significantly from 13500 MT in 2002 to 23000 MT in 2004. Saudi Arabia is the single largest importer of cardamom, distantly followed by Kuwait.