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Every now and then I come across this seed pod when I order Baingan Bharta (aka Punjabi Eggplant) from my favorite Indian restaurant. They're roughly 2cm (3/4 inch) long and about as thick as a wooden pencil. The taste is strong and earthy and rather savory to my palate. The pod has three folds, for lack of a better word, and the seeds are smaller than okra/gumbo but have similar texture.

Thank you for your time.

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Michael Seifert
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redick
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1 Answers1

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Looks like cardamom to me, regularly used in Indian and other South Asian cuisine and often left as whole seed pods in dishes for unsuspecting diners to accidentally chew on.

Blargant
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  • That's right, either push them to the side of the plate or eat them but if the latter don't chew too much - too much flavour and they get stuck in your teeth. – Chris H Jan 13 '22 at 09:01
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    They’re guaranteed to be in the very last mouthful;) – Tetsujin Jan 13 '22 at 10:35
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    @ChrisH 'too much flavour' is entirely subjective, as the degree to which they stick in teeth is heavily dependent on one's dentition. ;-) – Spagirl Jan 13 '22 at 11:19
  • @Spagirl indeed, my light squeeze would be too much for many people, and I do leave some on the plate, but overall like them. Others I know would eject a pod they'd accidentally eaten, and perhaps you might enjoy them more than me. – Chris H Jan 13 '22 at 13:42
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    The spice is also popular in baked goods in Scandinavia. In such recipes, the dark seeds are removed from the pods and ground before adding them to a dough or filling. – Michael Seifert Jan 13 '22 at 18:13
  • I have a Palestinian friend who chew them like people chew tobacco. He'd just idly plop a couple in his mouth every so often. I have no idea how he can stand it. To each his own I guess. – slebetman Jan 14 '22 at 07:27
  • @slebetman I bet people would say that about coffee beans too. And in parts of the Middle east, cardamom coffee is popular. It's very nice, but hard to get a light enough roast coffee in the UK. – Chris H Jan 14 '22 at 09:17
  • Also elevates rice to unexpected new heights. Main ingredient in Bryani spice. – Neil Meyer Jan 31 '22 at 18:30
  • @ChrisH cardamom milkshake made from cardamom syrup is also a great treat. – Neil Meyer Jan 31 '22 at 18:31
  • Cardamom is also the world's 3rd most expensive spice. Only being beat by vanilla pods and saffron. – Neil Meyer Jan 31 '22 at 18:32
  • @NeilMeyer I'll have to try that (not that I'm much of a milkshake drinker). Searching for that also suggested various hot drinks with milk, with or without chocolate – Chris H Jan 31 '22 at 22:18