re: Cardamom seed/pods -

Cardamom is also used very frequently in Swedish baking - Cardamom Braids, etc. Pastries, rings and some other Swedish breads use it often. It has a very distinct flavor and not everyone likes it. I was raised in Upper Michigan in a highly concentrated Swedish area and so was used to the flavors. My ex-mother-in-law was from Sweden and was a fantastic baker and she introduced me to it. It's a strange combination of flavors, it reminds me somewhat of anise, fennel or mace, but much more pronounced bite to it. My husband dislikes it a great deal, but I can't help myself from making some pretty cardamom braids at Christmas, but of course, then I HAVE to eat all of it myself. Not a good idea!

My children grew up having it, so it's something I make and bring to their houses at Christmas time as a special treat.

If you ever decide to buy it (advise against that) buy the pods or whole seeds, then grind it in an old-fashioned mortar and pestle, or if you have a spice grinder. It is OUTRAGEOUSLY expensive. You can buy it already ground to a powder, but it doesn't have hardly any flavor and is very weak compared to the freshly ground seeds. It's something like $9.00 or more for a little bottle. Certainly not worth buying unless you're going to be making lots and lots of things with cardamom.

A close friend made a trip to Sweden years ago and came back with stories that everything they had over there had cardamom in it, INCLUDING the communion wafers, which she thought was so funny.

June