Cardamom originated in India and Sri Lanka. It was then introduced to Guatemala, which is now the largest producer. In India, cardamom has been used in cooking and Ayurvedic medicine for over 2,000 years. Cardamom is a tropical perennial plant in the Zingiberaceae family, like ginger and turmeric. Its shoots can grow up to 3 metres high and develop from rhizomes. Its green, capsule-shaped fruits grow on stems at the base of the plants. Each pod contains around fifteen black seeds. Royal? In India, cardamom is considered the queen of spices thanks to its many therapeutic virtues and its intense fragrance, which enhances spice blends such as garam masala or curries.