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Cardamom, saffron, ginger and cinnamon spices with special properties

Homepage Articles Cardamom, saffron, ginger and cinnamon spices with special properties

Cardamom, saffron, ginger and cinnamon spices with special properties

Spices have played a key role in cuisines around the world for centuries, not only enriching the taste of dishes, but also giving them a unique aroma and character. Cardamom, saffron, ginger and cinnamon are among the most prized and versatile ingredients that inspire both home cooks and professional chefs.

Table of Contents

1. Cardamom

Cardamom is one of the world's oldest and most prized spices, known for its intense flavor and aroma, and comes from the tropical regions of Asia, particularly India, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia.

2. For the purposes of this Regulation, the following definitions shall apply:

There are two main varieties of cardamom green cardamone (most commonly encountered) and black cardamony, which is less popular but equally aromatic. Green cardamome has a delicate, sweet-spicy flavor with a citrusy flavor. It combines perfectly with both sweet and nutritious foods. Its aroma is intense but also slightly refreshing, making it an ideal addition to pastries, beverages, meat dishes or curries.

3. The health properties of cardamom

In addition to its unique taste and aroma, cardamom also has a number of beneficial health properties that have been used in traditional medicine for centuries: supports digestion, acts as an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and anti-viral agent, ?? supports blood circulation, works as an antioxidant, improves mood and reduces stress, is a urogenetic agent, reduces blood glucose and blood pressure (K. Singletary 2022).

4. Use of cardboard in the kitchen

Cardamom is a widely used spice that is perfect for both sweet and spicy foods. It is added to, among other things: baked goods and desserts perfect for cakes, cookies, muffins, as well as in combination with fruits such as peas, apples or berries.

5. Saffron

Saffron is one of the world's most expensive and prized spices, derived from the dried stem of the seeds crocus flower. It is characterized by an intense, delicate aroma and a warm, slightly bitter taste. Its distinctive red-orange color is the result of the presence of the pigment orange, which gives the food a unique color. It comes in a variety of varieties, the most prized of which come from Iran, Spain, Morocco and India.

6. The health properties of saffron

Saffron has a number of health benefits due to its potent antioxidant content (such as crocine, saffronal, and kaempferol): may protect cells from oxidative stress, acts as a neuroprotective agent, may reduce the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease, supports the maintenance of normal body weight, affects the regulation of blood glucose levels, improves lipid profile, shows action that may increase libido (A. al. aloui et al. 2022), can reduce the symptoms of post-menopausal syndrome (PMS) and support the functioning of women (F. Midab, M. midab, S. raeeh, A. M. Hashemid, F. R. M., 2024).

7. Use of saffron in the kitchen

Saffron is particularly popular in the cuisines of the Middle East, India and Spain, where it is used to prepare rice dishes, soups, sauces, as well as desserts. Danish with rice is an important ingredient in traditional Spanish paella, and also Indian biryani. Soup and sauce enriches the flavor of French fish soup bouillabaisse, and sauces especially those with which fish and seafood are served.

8. Instructions for the use of saffron

Saffron is a unique spice that is full of flavor and color and is best released by soaking the yarn in warm water or broth for 10~15 minutes and then adding a small amount to the food at the beginning of cooking to fully develop its properties.

9. Ginger

Ginger, which can be found in fresh or dried form, has been prized for its flavoring and medicinal properties for centuries. It has a sharp, deep-rooted flavor and distinctive aroma. It is extremely versatile and is widely used in cuisines around the world, especially in Asia, India, and the Mediterranean basin.

10. The health properties of ginger

Ginger has a number of health properties that support the body on many levels. Its main active ingredient is gingerol, which is responsible for most of its health benefits. Its major benefits are: anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, nausea relief, supporting digestive function, affecting the regulation of blood glucose levels, promoting the circulatory system, improving the lipid economy, reducing the risk of cancer (N. H. Anh et al., 2020) and neurodegenerative diseases, m. in. Alzheimer's disease (M.Bbi et al. 2021).

11. Use of ginger in the kitchen

Ginger is a versatile spice that is widely used in cooking. It works well in: main dishes such as curry, gulasse, stir-fry or marinades; beverages e.g. as an ingredient in steams or cocktails and tea to warm up the atmosphere.

12. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is one of the oldest and most popular spices, and its distinctive flavor and aroma have enriched foods and beverages around the world for centuries. It is derived from the bark of the cinnamon tree. It plays an important role in the cuisines of Asia, the Middle East, and Europe.

13. Types of cinnamon

There are two main types of cinnamon available on the market. Ceylon cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum), known as the True cinnamon, is native to Sri Lanka, India and Southeast Asia. It is prized for its milder flavor and thinner bark.

14. The health properties of cinnamon

Not only is cinnamon an aromatic spice, but it also has a number of health properties, including: acts as an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and antiviral agent, promotes the regulation of blood glucose levels and improves tissue sensitivity to insulin, supports the cardiovascular and nervous systems, fights free radicals and thus reduces the risk of many diseases, including cancers, may improve digestion and alleviate gastrointestinal ailments. (N. Blasczyk, A. Rosiak, J. Kałużna-Czaplińska, 2021).

15. For use in the kitchen

Cinnamon is a versatile spice that greatly enriches foods with a unique flavor and aroma. It is successfully used in both sweet and spicy dishes. It works well in desserts and pastries. It fits well with autumn fruits such as plums, apples or lamb grains, as well as yeast cakes and onions, because it gives them a deep-fried flavour and aromas.

16. Summary

Cinnamon, cardamom, saffron, and ginger are wonderful spices that give foods a unique character, each with its own unique properties that enrich the taste of food and promote health, which is why it's important to regularly include them in your diet to get the most out of them.
Source

Anh N.H. et al., Ginger on Human Health: A Comprehensive Systematic Review of 109 Randomized Controlled Trials, „Nutrients” 2020, 12(1), 157.
Błaszczyk N., Rosiak A., Kałużna-Czaplińska J., The Potential Role of Cinnamon in Human Health, „Forests” 2021, 12, 648.
El Midaoui A. et al., Saffron (Crocus sativus L.): A Source of Nutrients for Health and for the Treatment of Neuropsychiatric and Age-Related Diseases, „Nutrients” 2022, 14(3), 597.
Hasheminasab F.S., Azimi M., Raeiszadeh M., Therapeutic effects of saffron (Crocus sativus L) on female reproductive system disorders: A systematic review, „Phytotherapy Research” 2024, 38(6), 2832–2846.
Oketch-Rabah H.A., Marles R.J., Brinckmann J.A., Cinnamon and Cassia Nomenclature Confusion: A Challenge to the Applicability of Clinical Data, „Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics” 2018, 104(3), 435–445.
Singletary K., Cardamom: Potential Health Benefits, “Nutrition Today” 2022, 57(1), 38–49.
Talebi M. et al., Zingiber officinale ameliorates Alzheimer's disease and Cognitive Impairments: Lessons from preclinical studies, „Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy” 2021, 133, 111088.