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I want to make a Danish coffee cake that calls for cardamon, what does it taste like can you substitute it for cinnamon or??? Don't think I will be able to find it locally. Thanks for any help. Sue

I've never cooked anything with cardamom in it and am not certain that I've ever tasted it.

However (I feel like a spice 'pusher' LOL) go here to check the price:
http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin...penzeyscardamom.html

Penzey's has the BEST prices of any spice I've ever found in the grocery store AND it is the freshest you will find unless you grow or pick it yourself.

Penzey's locations:
http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin...res.html?id=9wfuUQNw

Oh! It's a member of the ginger family:
http://www.herbco.com/c-216-cardamom.aspx

I could see powdered ginger working. Cardamom is THE traditional Danish spice, though, and it's a pretty unique flavor. It also costs an arm and leg these days.

I went to the kitchen and tasted it for you Straight on it is sort of a lemony/ginger flavor. Not spicy like ginger though. Very tasty and unique, somewhat subtle when used in recipes. A local coffee shop makes a latte using it and ooohhhhh yuuuummmmmmmmmm!

It should be readily available in the spice aisle though - or ask a neighbor if they have some.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: junk collector,

Cardamon is called "The Queen of Spices". The going price should suggest that. ;-) Anyway, I often find mine in a local farmer's market tho you might find it in ritzy grocery chains like Whole Foods or the like in not in random chains.
BTW, About.com suggests the following substitutions:
Mix together equal parts cinnamon and nutmeg, and use in place of the cardamom called for in your recipe.

Out of nutmeg? Try equal parts cinnamon and ginger or equal parts cinnamon and ground gloves instead.

Froo Froo -- I need my gloves because we have almost 2 feet of snow (hee hee)!

Here in the Midwest it is readily available in the grocery store spice section - we have Tone's and McCormick's. I don't think it's that expensive. You can get whole pods or ground. One of my grandparents is Danish so I always have it on hand.

FYI - Starbucks is now offering a "vanilla spice" latte with the cardamom in it. Very tasty!

I have a small jar of ground Cardamon I got at a Middle Eastern market. I use it on lamb and some sweet foods too. It has a very unique flavor though, not like cinnamon.