Cardamom Powder Recipe

Do you grind the whole cardamom pod or just the seeds?

When making cardamom powder, you can grind the whole pod — husk and seeds included — since the green outer shell carries flavor and aroma too. Just be sure to grind it finely (a high-speed blender, like Vitamix or spice grinder, works best), and you can sift the powder afterward if you prefer a smoother texture.

But if you’d rather use only the seeds, simply gently crack open the pods, remove the tiny black seeds, and grind those on their own. Either way works!

✨ Pro tip from my mom: Don’t toss those empty green husks! Add them to your loose black tea container — they’ll lightly infuse the tea leaves and make your next cup of chai extra aromatic.

Do you have to toast the cardamom before grinding?

You typically don’t need to toast cardamom pods before grinding — especially if you’re using the elaichi powder in Indian recipes like desserts, or chai, where the raw, floral, and citrusy notes truly shine.

Toasting cardamom changes its flavor, muting those delicate aromas and giving it a deeper, earthier taste that’s more suitable for savory dishes like curries or rice.

That said, in some parts of India where the climate is humid, cardamom pods are very lightly toasted before grinding. This isn’t to enhance flavor, but simply to dry them out slightly, making them easier to grind into a fine powder. If you live in a dry climate, you likely won’t need to bother with this step.

So overall — skip the toasting for desserts and chai, unless your green cardamom feels soft or damp and needs a little drying out.

Do you need to add sugar when grinding cardamom?

Not necessarily! In India, it’s common to add a little sugar when grinding cardamom — especially in small batches — because it helps break down the pods into a finer powder. Sugar acts as a bit of a grinder aid, making the texture smoother.

However, adding sugar means the cardamom powder will only be suitable for sweet recipes, not for savory dishes like curries or rice.

If you do use sugar, remember to reduce the amount of sugar in your final dessert recipe slightly to balance the sweetness.

How to store cardamom powder?

To keep your homemade cardamom powder fresh and aromatic for longer, it's best to store it in the fridge or freezer.

Transfer the ground powder to an airtight container or a freezer-safe zip-top bag, press out any excess air, and seal it tightly. It will stay flavorful and aromatic for up to 6 months when stored this way.

Success tips

• If your cardamom powder isn’t finely ground, simply sift it through a fine mesh sieve to remove any larger bits or husk. This gives you a smooth, delicate powder—perfect for desserts.
• To preserve its aroma and freshness, always store the ground cardamom in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.

Sweet Recipes with Cardamom

Looking for ways to use cardamom in recipes? From Indian inspired drinks to festive desserts, here are some of our favorite cardamom-infused treats you’ll want to make again and again:

• Saffron tres leches cupcakes feature a fragrant cardamom sponge soaked in a saffron-infused three-milk blend—an irresistible, exotic twist on a classic dessert and one of our all-time favorite cupcakes.
• Cashew snowball cookies are eggless, buttery, with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Packed with cashew nuts and flavored with ground cardamom, they are perfect for Christmas or anytime.
• Strawberry lassi is bursting with the flavor of fresh, sweet strawberries! It is a creamy, refreshing and fruity twist on the classic Indian lassi.
• Mango rice pudding is so creamy, luxurious and absolutely terrific! It is one of the tastiest desserts to make using fresh mango.
• Chai mug cake is like enjoying a hot cup of chai with a spoon! A soft and fluffy cake infused with chai and flavored with ground cardamom and ginger.
• Cardamom cookies are tender, buttery, crisp, and melt in your mouth. Made with just 4 ingredients and infused with the ground cardamom.