Choti Elaichi (سَبَز الائچی, چھوٹی الائچی)

Common Names: Choti Elaichi, Sabz Elaichi
English Name: Green Cardamom
Urdu Name: سَبَز الائچی, چھوٹی الائچی
Scientific Name: Elettaria cardamomum
Dietary Information: Halal, Vegetarian

Description

Choti Elaichi, also known as Green Cardamom or Sabz Elaichi, is a fragrant spice prized for its sweet, warm, and slightly minty flavor. Its small green pods contain aromatic seeds that can add a distinctive fragrance to both sweet and savory recipes.

A familiar ingredient in Pakistani and South Asian cuisine, Green Cardamom is commonly used in biryani, pulao, desserts, tea, coffee, kheer, baking, and masala blends. The pods can be used whole during cooking, while the seeds can be crushed to release their intense aroma.

Green Cardamom is also traditionally chewed as a natural breath freshener. It contains naturally occurring aromatic compounds and is valued in traditional food and herbal practices.

Nutritional Information

The following values are provided for 1 gram of Choti Elaichi. Nutritional composition can vary depending on variety, growing conditions, and processing.

• Calories: 2 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 0.8 g

  • Dietary Fiber: 0.3 g

• Protein: 0.1 g

• Total Fat: 0.1 g

• Vitamin C: 0.21 mg

• Vitamin B1 (Thiamin): 0.002 mg

• Vitamin B2: 0.002 mg

• Vitamin B3: 0.011 mg

• Vitamin B6: 0.0023 mg

• Vitamin K: 1.55 mcg

• Vitamin E: 0.0081 mg

• Phosphorus: 1.78 mg

• Zinc: 0.07 mg

• Sodium: 0.18 mg

• Potassium: 13.8 mg

• Calcium: 4.7 mg

• Iron: 0.2 mg

• Manganese: 1.6 mg

Naturally Occurring Compounds

The distinctive aroma of Green Cardamom comes from naturally occurring volatile compounds, including:

• 1,8-Cineole: 9.4 mg

• Myrcene: 0.75 mg

• Limonene: 0.4 mg

• α-Terpineol: 0.04 g

These aromatic compounds contribute to the characteristic fresh, sweet, and slightly minty fragrance of the spice.

Potential Benefits

Green Cardamom provides small amounts of fiber, minerals, vitamins, and naturally occurring aromatic compounds. It has traditionally been valued for its digestive and breath-freshening qualities.

Cardamom contains plant compounds that have been studied for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. Traditional uses also include supporting digestive comfort and general wellness. These nutritional and traditional properties should not be interpreted as claims to prevent or treat any medical condition.

Healthy Daily Serving Size

Approximately 2 Green Cardamom pods (1 gram) used in cooking or tea contain about 2 calories, based on the supplied nutritional information.

How to Use Choti Elaichi

Choti Elaichi is a versatile spice for everyday cooking and beverages:

• Add whole pods to biryani and pulao for aroma.

• Crush the seeds and add them to chai, coffee, or other hot beverages.

• Use in kheer, halwa, desserts, and traditional Pakistani sweets.

• Add to homemade garam masala and spice blends.

• Use in baking for a warm, fragrant flavor.

• Chew a pod after meals as a traditional breath freshener.

About Fruity Nuts

At Fruity Nuts, we offer a carefully selected range of Dry Fruits, nuts, seeds, spices, and natural food products for everyday use. Choti Elaichi is part of our spice collection, bringing the familiar fragrance and flavor of Green Cardamom to Pakistani cooking and traditional beverages. Explore our wider range at fruitynuts.pk.