Interestingly enough, one of the countries that consume the most cardamom is Sweden, where cardamom is employed to season everything from baked goods to hamburgers and meatloaves. It matches well with cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves in autumn-spiced recipes, and these spices are also included with cardamom in Indian spice mixtures, such as garam masala. Drinks from mulled wine to hot cider to eggnog will benefit from an unexpected hint of cardamom. 

Cardamom Spiced Tea

What You Need

• 1 teaspoon of ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cardamom
• 1/8 teaspoon each of ground cloves and black pepper
• 1 cinnamon stick
• 2 1/2 cups of water
• 2 black tea bags
• 2 1/2 cups of low-fat milk
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• 2 tablespoons of orange zest, for garnish

Directions

1. In a small bowl, combine the ginger, cardamom, cloves, and black pepper. Set aside.
2. Fill a saucepan with water and bring it to a full boil. Place the tea bags and cinnamon stick in the water. Stir in the spice mixture and reduce to simmer.
3. Steep for about 5 minutes for a rich tea flavor.
4. Remove the tea bags and cinnamon stick.
5. Add the milk and honey. Continue to simmer until the tea is heated enough. Keep stirring gently to keep the scum from forming on the milk.
6. Pour the tea into mugs and sprinkle with orange zest.

Cardamom Honey Chicken

What You Need

For the marinade

• 4 tablespoons of honey
• 2 tablespoons of sherry
• 1 teaspoon each of ground cardamom seeds and ground peppercorn

For the chicken

• 1 whole chicken cut into parts
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• 1 thinly sliced lemon
• Salt and pepper

Directions

1. For marinating the chicken, slightly warm the honey and stir in the shrerry, cardamom, and peppercorn. Place the marinade and chicken in a large bowl and coat the chicken with the marinade. Cover the bowl with a plastic wrap and let it sit for about 30 minutes (at room temperature).
2. Preheat the oven to 390^o
3. Heat the olive oil at medium heat in a large frying pan. Sear the chicken for about 30 seconds until it turns golden.
4. Now, place the lemon slices in a roasting pan and lay the chicken pieces on the top. Brush them with the marinade. Season with salt and pepper. Cover with the foil.
5. Place in the oven and bake for about 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue to bake for 15 more minutes. In case the chicken gets too dark, tent with the foil.
6. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 10 minutes.
7. Serve with mashed potatoes or rice.

The recipes are great for sure. But the facts about cardamom give you an entirely new perspective about the spice.