From the producer:
Our cardamom is grown on a single estate in the cloud forests of Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, a biodynamic farm using traditional organic methods. The farm emphasizes workers' rights, sustainability and fair business practices. The terroir is ideal for cardamom, which thrives in humid, high altitude environments with plenty of rainfall. The comparatively low temperatures in the mountains during the harvest season (November-January) ensures high levels of fragrant essential oils.
Our cardamom is sweet and tart, reminiscent of summer fruits, fresh herbs and cut grass. The cardamom fruit turns yellow as it ripens and has a slightly softer, sweeter flavor than standard green cardamom - but is perfect in recipes that call for green cardamom.
Origin: Alta Verapaz, Guatemala
Aliases: green cardamom, yellow cardamom, elaichi, hel
Process: Hot air dried
Ingredients: 100% vine-ripened cardamom pods (Elettaria cardamomum)
Tasting notes: Ginger • Apricots • Jungle Flowers
Meet the Farmer: Amilcar Pereira planted his first cardamom vine when he was 9. In the years since then, he has succeeded in creating the only vertically-integrated cardamom operation in Guatemala. His farming practices produce cardamom is so good that Saveur called him "the farmer shaking up the Guatemalan cardamom trade"
COOKBOOK PAIRINGS
Ottolenghi utilizes sumac to bring citrusy and astringent flavor to savory and sweet dishes alike. Try it in the Sumac-Roasted Strawberries with Yogurt Cream (p. 272) and the Shallow-Fried Potatoes with Rosemary and Sumac (p. 139)