Why do Swedes love cardamom?

Culinary archaeologist Daniel Serra, who co-wrote the book An Early Meal – a Viking Age Cookbook and Culinary Odyssey, believes that cardamom first became of interest in Scandinavia in the 13th Century for both its medicinal and culinary use , as documented in the old cookbook Libellus de Arte Coquinaria.

What does cardamom taste like in cake?

Cardamom tastes of warmth while slightly peppery and with hints of fruit, pine, and citrus . It pairs well with light and fruity recipes as well as chocolate and coffee.

What kind of cardamom is used in Swedish baking?

It's important to note that there are different types of cardamom, and it's the green cardamom that is used in nearly all Swedish (and Norwegian) recipes. Cardamom buns make for the perfect fika.

Why is cardamom so expensive?

Green cardamom seeds are the third most expensive spice in the world, after saffron and vanilla. The main reason is that it needs to be harvested by hand . It's a time-consuming procedure of handpicking and it is grown only in a few places throughout the world.

Why do Scandinavians like cardamom?

In Scandinavian culture, cardamom often represents comfort and home and family and holiday treats –similar to how we in the U.S. view cinnamon, perhaps.

What is the world's most expensive spice?

Saffron , the world's most expensive spice, is known for its beautiful golden hue and delicate floral aroma. It is derived from the delicate red threads of the Crocus sativus flower, which must be hand-picked and carefully dried to preserve their flavor and aroma.

Why is cardamom used in Scandinavian countries?

Serra thinks the Moors likely introduced cardamom to Scandinavia . According to this theory, cardamom and other spices would have found their way from the Iberian peninsula up to London, and then from London, were traded along a German trade route up into Scandinavia.

Why is cardamom in Swedish cooking?

About 1,000 years ago, the Vikings found cardamom in the bazaars of Constantinople and introduced it to Scandinavia . Today, Swedes consume 60 times as much Cardamom as Americans do and 18 times more per capita than the average country, including it in mulled wines, fresh pastries, and stewed fruits (Rae).

Is cardamom native to Sweden?

From its origins in India and the Middle East , how did this unlikely seed pod make its way to the chilly climes of Scandinavia? We break down how cardamom became the flavor backbone in Swedish favorites such as mulled wine (or glögg), flavored coffee, and Christmas sweet bread.

Which country uses cardamom the most?

However, some 95% of cardamom produced in India is for domestic purposes, and India is itself by far the most important consuming country for cardamoms in the world. India also imports cardamom from Sri Lanka.

Kardemummakaka - Swedish Cardamom Cake Recipe for Fika (2024)

Table of Contents

Swedish Fika Recipe of Cardamom Cake for our Chai Nashta Break

Over couple of years, I have made this Cardamom Cake or as the Swedes would call it, Kardemummakaka, quite a few times and every time it has been a super hit with my family. Now, my 1 year old has also been added to this list of its fan. And, THAT my friend, has to be the highlight of my life right now for being a food blogger. This tea time or coffee break cake, also known as fika in Sweden, is absolutely delicious with mildly fragrant with a handful of Green Cardamoms. Rest, everything is same with this oil-based sponge cake, that I will get to soon.

What is fika?

Used interchangeably as verb and noun, fika is basically the coffee break that Swedish people enjoy during their usual routine. It is something similar to our 11 o’clock tea break that we Indians usually enjoy before we head on to our task list for the day. In Sweden, fika allows them to stop and unwind. It literally puts everything at a halt as they get to enjoy their fresh brew along with a side of snacks like this Kardemummakaka.

Anybody who has been to Sweden must know that Swedish people take their fika pretty seriously. No kidding their country ranks higher in terms of happiness index than ours!

Offices allow fika breaks when people get off their seats and enjoy their coffee breaks with freshly baked cakes or snacks.Fika recipes is altogether a specialty in their cuisine.

Looking for Christmas Cake recipe without alcohol?

Are you in for a no-soak Christmas Cake recipe which has spices and makes your house smell nice?? Then this Cardamom Cake recipe is your answer. Of course it is different than the traditional Christmas Cake recipe, which by the way I have it here. This aromatic Cardamom infused cake has its own set of charms. While we are on the topic on Christmas Cakes, I have an eggless version of rum-soaked Plum Cake as well.

Why use Cardamom in a Cake Recipe?

With so many flavors available, you must be thinking why cardamom. We usually associate Indian spices with mainstream Indian cooking where these spices add heat to the savory dishes. Sometimes, Indian desserts make an occasional mention of these spices. But we find it very hard to believe that these spices can make for an excellent flavoring agent in a dessert recipe like a cake.

In case you are a fan of Mangoes, cardamom goes amazingly well with the flavour profile of Mangoes as well. I have this amazing recipe of Mango Cake with Cardamom Cream on this food blog which I am sure you will like it! Here’show it looks like, pretty isn’t it?

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Cardamom Cake Recipe Ingredient Profile:

Cardamom

Well, its in the name itself, so you know how important it is. So, if you have any kind of an aversion towards this spice, then I am sorry.This cake recipe isn’t meant for you. “Coz what’s a Cardamom Cake with Cardamoms!!

Did you know? After Saffron and Vanilla, Cardamom is the third most expensive spice in the world. Originally from South and South East Asia, it is primarily cultivated in India and Indonesia. One of reasons for the steep cost of this Indian spice is the nature of its cultivation. It is a labour intensive hand-picking process where the entire harvesting of the crop has to be done manually.

Now, one of the key point to ponder is how much cardamom to use in cake? Now, I had medium-large-ish Cardamom pods with me and I used around 10 pods. I crushed them in my grinder and added it to the dry mix of ingredients. You might find the aroma quite overpowering but it will fade away a bit after baking.

Eggs

Usually I am a bit orthodox in terms of using Eggs in the cake recipes. I believe it gives a degree of richness to the cakes and they hold better as compared to the eggless ones. However, I know there are many people who prefer eggless cake recipe for various reasons. In case you want to bake an Eggless Cardamom Cake then simply omit the Eggs and replace it with 1/4 cup of Applesauce or Condensed Milk or another 1/4 tsp of Baking Soda.

Milk

Here. in this Kardemummakaka swedish cake recipe, I have used the usual of Cow Milk. But if you prefer Lactose-free Milk, then you may use other plant-based milk options like Soy Milk, Almond Milk, Cashew Milk, etc. I wouldn’t suggest using Coconut Milk as its favour might be too intense for this recipe.

Frosting or glaze for Cardamom Cake

If you are feeling fancy then you can definitely go for a glaze on the top of this cake. Personally I felt that Cardamom goes very well with citrusy taste. So, I made an instant Lime Glaze using Lime juice and Caster Sugar. While the cake is warm, pour the glaze over the top and let it soak for couple of minutes before slicing.

You may also replace the lime and serve the cardamom cake with orange glaze. And, I have a feeling that another delicious way would be to serve this recipe of cardamom cake with coffee glaze.

Here’s the printable recipe card for Swedish Cardamom Cake recipe:

Kardemummakaka – Swedish Cardamom Cake Recipe for Fika

Prep Time

10 mins

Cook Time

40 mins

Total Time

50 mins