EHL Stabilizes Prices for Cardamom to Keep Up its Increased Popularity

Mar 8 2012 --- Prices of cardamom fluctuated globally during 2011, but EHL is working to ensure that its prices remain stable this year to allow its customers to plan purchases and budget accordingly.

Cardamom is one of the most expensive spices after saffron and often termed “Queen of spices”. A member of the ginger family, it is a highly versatile spice as it can be used in both sweet and savoury foods.

 

This greater availability of the crop in recent years has led to a boost in popularity, especially in the UK food manufacturing sector, where cardamom is increasingly being used in curries and stews as well as cookies and cakes. Cardamom is highly aromatic and has a pungent flavour and is widely used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines as well as in Scandanavian sweet bakery goods and pastries.

 

Native to India but also grown in Guatemala, Cardamom has recently experienced a surge in awareness and popularity, especially following exposure on TV shows such as The Great British Bake Off, where one contestant created an orange and praline croquembouche with cardamom caramel. The prices fluctuated over the last 12 months with prices soaring to record levels.

 

EHL Ingredients, an importer, blender and packer of food ingredients from around the world supplies premium quality cardamom as whole green and black pods, as seed and in a ground format, in both organic and standard varieties.

 

Tasneem Backhouse, Sales Director at EHL Ingredients says: “Despite news that cardamom prices varied greatly over the last year, at EHL we are working hard with our suppliers to keep our costs stable, giving our customers the very best value for cardamom purchases. We consistently purchase stocks of cardamom at times when the price is favorable and pass these cost savings on to our customers in the UK manufacturing sector.

 

“Cardamom is experiencing a wave in popularity at the moment and it’s important for food manufacturers to keep abreast of popular flavours among British consumers.

 

“Our products are 100% natural and our cardamom in its various formats can be added to ready meals, sauces, pastes and marinades and is available for food manufacturers to add to a range of Indian and Middle Eastern dishes. In addition, cardamom is an essential ingredient for the bakery industry, especially with the popularity of European bakery goods.

 

“We work with many leading food manufacturers and bakers to provide our natural spices and caneven work with product development teams to develop custom blends.”

 

For the second year in a row, the company has been awarded a Grade A BRC accreditation following a rigorous audit process. This gives EHL’s customers the reassurance of the company’s quality and safety management processes and will open up new growth opportunities for the business.