Long Cardamom

Long Cardamom is the Queen of Spices. It is one of the most exotic and highly prized spices; Indian cardamom has a history as old as human civilization. Southern India and Sri Lanka are regarded as origin of this spice. Till recently India was the main Producer and exporter of this commodity, but of late Guatemala has emerged as a keen competitor to Indian cardamom in the international spice market. Indian cardamom is slightly smaller, but more aromatic. As a whole, cardamom is cultivated commercially in India, Sri Lanka, Guatemala and Tanzania.
Cardamom is often named as the third most expensive spice in the world (after saffron and vanilla), and the high price reflects the high reputation of this most pleasantly scented spice.
Cardamom is grown commercially in plantations under the shade of tall forest trees. It is a very labor-intensive crop to produce. The fruits are picked individually by hand before they are fully ripe, over a period of several months.