This is the fruit of a reed - like plant. In India it is known as the queen of spices. Cardamom comes in three different colours green, white and black.
The fruit is a small pod with the seeds within the pods have a strong, sweetish flavour. Initially the taste has a penetrating note of camphor. It is sharply bitter and strong, and lingers quite long in the mouth if you chew a few seeds, but is warming and agreeable. Cardamom is one of the most ancient spices in the world and one of the most highly valued and expensive