What is cardamom?
Cardamom is a spice in the same family as ginger and turmeric. When used in tea, blends usually contain either whole cardamom pods or cardamom seeds, both of which have a spicy, warm flavor.
Green cardamom is most commonly used in tea blends, but some may also feature black cardamom, which is darker and slightly smokier.
Benefits of cardamom tea
Some of the benefits of cardamom tea include reducing inflammation, aiding digestion, and boosting heart health.
1. Cardamom tea contains anti-inflammatory properties
A soothing cup of cardamom tea can help with inflammation. Studies suggest that cardamom tea contains anti-inflammatory properties. While inflammation is the body's way of protecting itself, chronic inflammation can have negative consequences for your health. While a good cup of tea shouldn't be your only way of calming inflammation, it's a good addition to a healthy routine.
2. Cardamom tea helps with digestion
If you're having stomach troubles, or just want something soothing to drink after a heavy meal, a cup of cardamom tea can help. Along with similar spices like ginger, cardamom has been used as an herbal remedy to aid digestion for hundreds of years. Studies suggest that it may also help with digestive issues.
3. Cardamom tea is good for heart health
A cup of cardamom tea can play a small part in maintaining a healthy heart. Some studies have shown that cardamom can help to lower blood pressure and improve antioxidant status.
4. Cardamom tea is good for your teeth
Looking to protect your pearly whites? Cardamom is a popular post-meal breath refresher. While some people eat whole cardamom pods to freshen their breath, a cup of cardamom tea is a great alternative. Studies suggest that cardamom can help to improve overall oral health and prevent cavities.
5. It tastes great!
We love teas with beneficial properties, but we choose our teas first and foremost based on their great taste. Cardamom is the perfect complement to other ingredients in spiced tea blends like chai. Spicy, warming, and with hints of citrus and mint, cardamom is a unique flavor that pairs wonderfully with loose leaf tea.
A word about cardamom tea and your health
Loose leaf tea is one of life's little pleasures, and it's a great added bonus when it can help keep you in tip-top health. Loose leaf tea is flavorful, hydrating, and often contains beneficial properties. That said, loose leaf tea isn't a cure for any illness, and you should definitely talk with your doctor if you're feeling unwell. We like to think of the benefits of loose leaf tea as an added bonus: something that can help to nourish your body and mind as you enjoy a soothing, tasty cup of tea.
Our cardamom teas
We carry both caffeinated and caffeine-free teas containing cardamom, including classic chai mixes as well as creative blends like Sing Your Song.
Masala Chai Black Tea
This traditional chai blend includes cardamom, cinnamon, ginger root, and cloves blended with premium Ceylon tea. Add milk and honey for a classic sweet, milky chai, or try it alone for a spicier cup.
Rooibos Chai Herbal Tea
Rooibos Chai blends traditional chai spices, including cardamom, cinnamon, ginger root, coriander, cloves and pepper, with organic South African rooibos for a caffeine-free version of chai.
Solstice Spice Black Tea
Solstice Spice blends black tea with cardamom, apple, cinnamon, cloves, orange slices, and pink pepper for a taste reminiscent of the holidays. A classic spiced tea! This naturally sweet, comforting tea is delicious served hot or iced.
Sing Your Song Herbal Tea
One of Santa Fe's local opera singers began drinking this tea to help keep her voice in perfect condition, so we've named the blend "Sing Your Song" in her honor. It features cardamom peppermint, ginger, lemongrass, and licorice root. Warming and nourishing, this blend is great for soothing scratchy throats.
Chimayo Chai Black Tea
When you’re in New Mexico, you quickly learn that chile is part of the culture here. Our Chimayo Chai honors that tradition by including just enough crushed red chile flakes in our chai tea to add the right amount of heat! Enjoy it in the classic way as a sweet, milky chai—or, if you’re brave, try it straight for a fiery cup.
Green Tea Chai
This chai blend has a green tea base instead of black tea. Spicy-sweet and with a touch of citrus, Green Tea Chai blends green tea leaves with cardamom, lemongrass, cinnamon, coriander, fennel, and cumin for a flavorful twist on a traditional chai.
FAQs about cardamom tea
Does cardamom tea have caffeine?
While some teas containing cardamom, like Masala Chai, have caffeine, not all cardamom teas are caffeinated. For instance, our Sing Your Song blends cardamom with peppermint and ginger for a naturally caffeine-free herbal cardamom tea. Cardamom itself is does not contain caffeine.
Does chai tea have cardamom?
Every chai blend is a little different, but most chai teas do contain cardamom, along with other spices like ginger, cloves, and cinnamon.
How do you make cardamom tea?
Making cardamom tea is pretty simple: you can use whole, dried cardamom blends combined with loose leaf of your choice. Or, buy a handcrafted blend from us featuring cardamom along with other herbs and spices. Infuse your tea with hot water, then remove the cardamom pods and tea leaves and enjoy! If you're making a chai, you may also opt to infuse cardamom, tea leaves, and other spices directly in milk on the stovetop.
Can you put milk in cardamom tea?
Yes, you can put milk in cardamom tea. In fact, many chai blends featuring cardamom are traditionally enjoyed with milk and honey. But that doesn't mean that milk is required—you can also enjoy these blends straight!
