Cardamom

 What is black cardamom?

Black cardamom (Amomum subulatum) is a bold, smoky spice that has been used for centuries in Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines. Unlike green cardamom, which is sweet and floral, black cardamom is smoke-dried, giving it a deep earthy, resinous, and smoky aroma. Its flavor is strong and warming, making it a key ingredient in curries, masala blends, pho, biryani, and herbal teas.

In Vietnam, black cardamom is called thảo quả đen and is mainly grown in the northern highlands such as Lao Cai, Yen Bai, and Ha Giang, where the climate and traditional curing techniques create pods with superior quality and aroma.

Types of black cardamom

There are two main varieties of black cardamom found in the market:

• Long black cardamom
  Pods are elongated (3–4.5 cm) with deep ridges and a strong camphor-like aroma. This is the most common type, widely used in masala blends, soups, biryani, pho, and braised dishes.
• Round black cardamom
  Compact pods (1–2 cm) with higher oil content and a more refined aroma. Because of its limited yield, round black cardamom is more expensive and is preferred for premium spice formulations, herbal medicines, and essential oil extraction.

Why choose black cardamom from Vietnam?

Vietnam has become a leading origin for black cardamom exports, thanks to its natural growing conditions and traditional curing.

✨ Key advantages of Vietnam black cardamom:

• Rich smoky aroma: Produced by traditional wood-fired drying.
• Low moisture: Dried to ≤13.5% for longer shelf life and reduced mold risk.
• Clean & graded: Hand-selected to keep admixture ≤1% and uniform size.
• High volatile oil (VO 2–3%): Stronger aroma yield for grinding and extraction.
• Export-ready packing: 10–25 kg PP or jute bags with PE liners for protection in transit.

Main uses of black cardamom

• Food & Beverage: Masala blends, curry bases, soups, pho, pulao, tea blends, and marinades.
• Extraction: Essential oil, oleoresin, and aroma compounds for flavor houses.
• Pharma & Wellness: Herbal medicines, digestion remedies, functional teas.
• Cosmetics & Aromatherapy: Natural fragrance for soaps, balms, and perfumes.

Export specifications – Black Cardamom Vietnam

• Moisture: ≤ 13.5%
• Admixture: ≤ 1%
• Volatile oil (VO): 2–3%
• Size: Long (3–4.5 cm) or Round (1–2 cm)
• Packing: 10–25 kg PP/jute bags with PE liners
• Loadability: ~7 MT/20FT; ~15 MT/40FT
• Documents: CO, Phytosanitary, Lab COA, HALAL certificate on request

VietGlobal Export – Your trusted black cardamom supplier

At VietGlobal Export (VGE), we specialize in black cardamom sourcing from Vietnam’s highlands. With factories in Lao Cai and Yen Bai, we provide:

• Farm-level traceability and direct sourcing
• Moisture and oil content control for every lot
• Clean, export-ready packaging with protective liners
• Flexible shipment (full or mixed containers with cassia, star anise, pepper)
• Complete export documentation: CO, Phytosanitary, Lab COA, HALAL

📩 Contact VGE today for samples, specifications, and CIF quotations.

Frequently Asked Questions about Black Cardamom

What is black cardamom and how is it different from green cardamom?

Black cardamom is smoke-dried, giving it a bold smoky aroma, unlike green cardamom which is sweet and floral. It’s commonly used in curries, soups, and masala blends.

Why choose black cardamom from Vietnam?

Vietnam’s northern highlands provide ideal conditions. Traditional smoke-curing delivers pods with high oil content (2–3%), low moisture, and consistent quality.

What are the main uses of black cardamom?

Black cardamom is used in food (masala, biryani, pho, teas), in industry for oil and oleoresin extraction, and in pharma and cosmetics for natural remedies and fragrance.

How is Vietnamese black cardamom processed and packed?

Pods are smoke-dried, hand-cleaned, sorted, and packed in 10–25 kg PP/jute bags with PE liners. Standard export documents are included.

Where can I buy black cardamom from Vietnam?

VietGlobal Export (VGE) is a trusted black cardamom supplier offering competitive pricing, strict QC, and reliable logistics. Samples and tailored quotes are available.