Age Suggestion
6 months
Iron-Rich
No
Common Allergen
No
Cardamom may be introduced into meals as soon as baby is ready to start solids, which is generally around 6 months of age. When cooking with whole cardamom pods, make sure to remove them before serving the food to baby to reduce choking risk.
Native to South Asia, cardamom is the dried fruit of several varieties of plants in the ginger and galangal family. Three main varieties are widely available: black cardamom, green cardamom, and white cardamom. Each has a distinctive aroma and flavor, and all three are often used in cooking as whole dried fruits, cracked seeds, or finely ground-up powder, as well as in spice blends like baharat and garam masala, and tonics and teas like chai. Cardamom adds warmth and brightness to sweet and savory dishes in its native region and far beyond, from chana masala and kheer in South Asia, to cardamom breads and pickles in Scandinavian countries.
Yes. Cardamom is generally recognized as safe when used in amounts typically used in cooking.
Yes. Cardamom offers small amounts of various vitamins, minerals, and fiber, as well as plant compounds like flavonoids, anthocyanins, phenols and more. Research also suggests that cardamom offers anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer properties. Plus, it may help in promoting oral and digestive health.
Yes, cardamom pods could be a choking hazard when left whole in a dish, although ground cardamom does not pose a high choking risk in amounts typically used in cooking. To minimize the risk, remove any whole cardamom pods or whole seeds from a dish before serving the food to baby. As always, make sure you create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of baby during meals. For more information on choking, visit our sections on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with the list of common choking hazards.
No. Allergies to cardamom are rare, but have been reported. Note that certain spice blends that feature cardamom may contain common food allergens, so make sure to read labels carefully.
Spices can also cause reactions similar to allergic symptoms. For example, inhaling a puff of powdered cardamom can irritate the nasal passageways and trigger sneezing and coughing, but may not be an allergic reaction.
Foods with spices like cardamom may cause a harmless rash around the mouth while baby eats or may cause or worsen diaper rash. Applying a thin layer of barrier ointment (such as pure petroleum jelly or a plant-based oil/wax balm) to baby’s face and bottom can help prevent contact rashes.
As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity for the first few servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals.
No. Cardamom is not generally considered to be a food that directly helps with pooping. However, spices like cardamom play a role in supporting baby’s rapidly developing gut microbiome (the bacteria and microorganisms in baby’s intestines), which can support healthy digestion. Remember that pooping patterns can vary significantly from baby to baby. If you have concerns about baby’s pooping and digestive function, learn more about when to worry about baby’s poop and, as always, talk to your pediatric healthcare provider.
Every baby develops on their own timeline, and the suggestions on how to cut or prepare particular foods are generalizations for a broad audience.
Sprinkle tiny amounts of ground cardamom on age-appropriate foods like mango spears, dal, or yogurt, or mix a tiny amount into batter to make idli or pancakes. When adding cardamom directly to baby’s portion, start small: Cardamom has a powerful flavor, and using too much can overpower other flavors. You can also use whole cardamom pods to flavor curries and sauces to share with baby—just make sure to remove the pods before serving.
Cook with cardamom as desired in the child’s meals. Use cardamom in combination with other ingredients to create rich sauces, season batters and baked goods, and much more. At this age, toddlers can also have small amounts of caffeine-free cardamom tea and other non-alcoholic drinks that contain cardamom. Offer the drink in an open cup, make sure the drink is no longer hot, and remove any whole cardamom pods or seeds from the child’s cup before serving. Try to hold off on regularly serving sweetened cardamom desserts until closer to the second birthday.
Cook with cardamom as desired in savory and sweet dishes to share with the toddler, continuing to remove whole pods from the finished dish before serving. At this age, it is okay to share the occasional sweetened products made with cardamom.
Not sure what food to try next? Have a look at our guide, 50 Fantastic First Foods for Babies.
Sign up for weekly tips, recipes and more!
The content offered on SolidStarts.com is for informational purposes only. Solidstarts is not engaged in rendering professional advice, whether medical or otherwise, to individual users or their children or families. No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or your medical or health professional, nutritionist, or expert in pediatric feeding and eating. By accessing the content on SolidStarts.com, you acknowledge and agree that you are accepting the responsibility for your child’s health and well-being. In return for providing you with an array of content “baby-led weaning” information, you waive any claims that you or your child may have as a result of utilizing the content on SolidStarts.com.