K.J. Madhusoodanan & P. N. Ravindran 
Cardamom [PDF ebook] 
The Genus Elettaria

Cardamom otherwise known as Malabar cardamom, true cardamom or small cardamom second only to pepper in its importance during the Renaissance period, is often qualified as the Queen of Spices because of its very pleasant aroma and taste. The Western Ghat forest of the Malabar coast, India, is the center of origin and diversity for cardamom and it mi