Unique spice top 3 most expensive in the world, takes at least 2 years to bear fruit, Vietnam has a lot

This spice is the third most expensive in the world, after saffron and vanilla.

This spice is cardamom (also known as green cardamom, Elettaria cardamomum ).

In fact, just 100 grams of green cardamom spice costs around $9. This means that for 1 kg, you have to pay around $90 (about 2.2 million VND).

According to experts, cardamom is a plant of the ginger family.  This is a familiar spice in Vietnam and many Asian countries. In addition, the third most expensive spice in the world is also popular in the Middle East and Arab countries.

In Vietnam , cardamom grows in high mountainous areas with cool climates, such as Cao Bang, Lao Cai. Normally, cardamom is about 2-3 m tall and is a perennial plant. The flowers of this plant are purple-white, often growing in clusters at the base of the leafy stem.

Cardamom is a plant grown in many places around the world. In Vietnam, this plant is grown a lot in Lao Cai, Cao Bang. (Photo: Abplive)

According to experts, after sowing the seeds, this plant takes up to 2 years to bear fruit. Moreover, the first harvest is also very small. This fruit contains some vitamins, minerals and fiber, and is low in calories.

Cardamom pods look quite strange because they are spherical in shape and have wrinkled skin. The outer surface of the cardamom pods has longitudinal stripes. The pods contain 20-30 small seeds with a fragrant and spicy taste.

Cardamom has a spicy, mild aroma, so it is often used as an ingredient in cooking or making desserts. Known as the " queen of spices " that makes dishes more attractive, cardamom also has many benefits for human health.

Cardamom pods are often sold at high prices. (Photo: Ancient Guru).

Not only the fruit but also the flowers of cardamom are used as medicinal herbs. The most suitable time to harvest cardamom fruit is in the fall when the fruit is about 70% ripe. This fruit is harvested from trees that are 3 years old or older.

After harvesting, growers dry the cardamom in the shade until the shell turns white and store it for later use. When needed, people just peel off the shell, take out the kernel and crush it. The reason cardamom fruit and powder are so expensive is because they require time and meticulous care, and are susceptible to insects and fungi, so the preservation process is quite expensive. 

Cardamom has many culinary uses and helps improve many health problems. (Photo: Getty Images).

Benefits of cardamom

Antibacterial

In an interview with Business Insider, Reda Elmardi, an American nutritionist, said: 'Cardamom contains eugenol, the active ingredient that gives the seeds their characteristic spicy smell and has strong antibacterial properties.'

A study published in the Journal of Food Science and Technology in 2017 showed that cardamom has the effect of inhibiting the growth of salmonella, staphylococcus, and candida.

Hypoglycemia

A study published in the Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture in 2019 investigated the benefits of cardamom in preventing and treating diabetes. Accordingly, scientists discovered that the use of cardamom can reduce blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.

Another study found that cardamom reduced inflammation markers in people with prediabetes.

Protect your oral health

Cardamom not only freshens breath but also has many other benefits for oral health.

A 2020 study found that extracts from cardamom fruit and seeds can inhibit the growth of bacteria that cause gingivitis. Another study found that the spice kills Streptococcus mutans, a bacteria that causes tooth decay.

Cardamom is a familiar spice in Vietnam. (Photo: Insider).

Improve liver health

A 2018 study published in Nutrition & Metabolism found that cardamom reduced liver inflammation in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. The study also found that cardamom had a positive effect on overall liver health in people without liver disease.

Medical News Today cites another animal study that found cardamom to protect the liver from certain types of damage.

Improve cardiovascular health

Regular consumption of cardamom has been shown to reduce blood triglyceride levels. High blood triglyceride levels can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease as well as dangerous complications such as heart attack and stroke.

In addition, cardamom has also been shown to reduce blood pressure and increase antioxidant capacity. These are beneficial factors in protecting heart health.

Cardamom is good for the liver (Illustration photo).

Anti-cancer

According to Medical News Today, cardamom contains phytochemicals that have anti-cancer properties. A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Food in 2012 showed that cardamom can reduce the size of skin cancer tumors. A laboratory study published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology in 2022 showed that cardamom can stop the growth and kill lung cancer cells.

Researchers also point out the potential of cardamom in creating health-supporting products, as it is a "superfood". However, the study also recommends that adults should only consume about 77 grams, equivalent to 8-10 cardamom pods, per day.