Elakkai (Elettaria cardamomum)

Elakkai, elaichi in Hindi, is green cardamom, the queen of spices, native to the Western Ghats of Kerala and Karnataka. The Cardamom Hills of Idukki district are its heartland. India once led the world in cardamom but is now second to Guatemala. Its green capsules flavour chai, sweets and biryani across India and coffee in the Gulf.

Botanical name: Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton
Family: Zingiberaceae
Tamil: Elakkai
Hindi: Elaichi
Sanskrit: Elā
Parts used: Fruit (capsule and seeds)
Habit: Shade-loving ginger-family perennial; the spice is the dried capsule
Last updated: 2026-10-30

How to recognise Elakkai

It is a tall, clump-forming perennial, two to four metres high, growing from a rhizome under forest shade.

The leaves are long and lance-shaped, in two rows along leafy stems.

Flower stalks creep along the ground from the base, bearing white flowers with violet-striped lips.

The fruits are small, three-sided, green capsules holding sticky, black, aromatic seeds.

Black cardamom capsules are much larger, dark and smoky.

Traditional use of Elakkai

Kitchen

Crushed elaichi flavours masala chai, payasam, kheer, halwa and biryani.

Indian food practice

Kitchen

In the Gulf, cardamom is brewed with coffee as gahwa.

Arabian food practice

Farming

Planters in Idukki grow it under thinned forest shade, much of it in the Cardamom Hill Reserve.

Kerala farm practice

Modern notes on Elakkai

Its aroma comes from 1,8-cineole and alpha-terpinyl acetate.

Capsules are dried in heated curing houses to keep their green colour.

Thrips and the katte virus are major pests and diseases in Indian plantations.

Elakkai safety

Cardamom is safe in food amounts. Buy from trusted sources, as old capsules lose flavour quickly once the seeds are exposed.

Ecology and sourcing

It grows wild in the moist evergreen forests of the Western Ghats.

Bees pollinate the flowers near the ground.

It needs shade, rain and cool hill weather.

Related plants

Also in Zingiberaceae

Questions about Elakkai

Why is Elakkai called the queen of spices?

For its prized aroma and high value.

Where is Elakkai grown?

In the Western Ghats, especially Idukki in Kerala.

Is Elakkai the same as black cardamom?

No. Black cardamom is Amomum subulatum.

Should I use pods or seeds?

Crushed pods or freshly ground seeds give the best flavour.

Which country grows the most?

Guatemala, followed by India.

Sources

Educational page about a plant. It is not medical advice, not a diagnosis, and not an offer to sell. Traditional use is historical. If you need care, ask a licensed clinician. Questions: hello@meevamed.com.