Cardamom Milk (Elaichi Milk)

Slofoodgroup Team January 01, 2022

What Cardamom Milk Is and Why You Should Include It In Your Routine

Cardamom milk is absolutely as divine and comforting as it sounds. Served warm, the spicy fragrance of the cardamom penetrates the air as wafts of steam rise from the sweet and creamy beverage that graces the mug. This soothing beverage is also known as Elaichi Milk, after the Hindi word for cardamom (Elaichi). It is most notably consumed in India and Pakistan, but news of its proposed benefits has spread far and wide and it is now enjoyed throughout the world. It has especially gained popularity as a bedtime beverage to aid in a more sound sleep and digestion aid.

There are many variations of cardamom milk. The simplest recipes contain little more than milk, cardamom, and sugar. Other recipes incorporate cinnamon sticks, saffron threads, honey, nutmeg, crushed almonds, and an array of warming spices. We have kept our recipe simple but used maple syrup as a sweetener to lower the glycemic index and deepen the flavor.

When making cardamom milk, or any concoction for that matter, the nutritional benefits and flavor will be a reflection of the quality of the ingredients used. We chose whole, organic milk, pure maple syrup, and green cardamom pods grown in the highlands of Guatemala. It is such an easy and delicious recipe; you are going to love it!

How to make cardamom milk from scratch

Ingredients

• 4 whole green cardamom pods
• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (can substitute 2 tablespoons of honey or raw sugar)
• 2 cups whole milk
• Optional, 1 Ceylon cinnamon stick (broken into pieces), ¼ teaspoon lightly crushed saffron threads, crushed almonds, and/or additional whole or fresh-ground warming spices

Procedure

1. Using a mortar and pestle, slightly crush your cardamom pods. 
2. Add the milk and cardamom pods to a saucepan and bring to a boil, stirring frequently. If you have chosen any of the optional spices, now is the time to add them 
3. Turn the mixture to low and stir in your maple syrup (if substituting raw sugar or honey, now is the time to add those instead of the maple syrup). 
4. Allow the mixture to simmer for about 8 minutes, stirring often. 
5. Pull the cardamom milk from the burner and strain. 
6. If desired, vigorously whisk the milk to induce frothiness. 
7. Serve hot. 

Serving Suggestions

Cardamom milk can be a wonderful addition to anyone’s nightly routine. It is said to be therapeutic—giving way to a restful night’s sleep, improving digestion, combatting bacteria that lead to bad breath, and providing much-needed antioxidants to keep your body healthy. 

Serve it hot as you relax and settle into the calmness of the evening or add a bit of Pekoe grade black tea to the mixture for an uplifting, caffeinated, daytime beverage.