Cardamom, the queen of all spices, has a history as old as the human race. It is the dried fruits of a herbaceous perennial plant. Warm humid climate, loamy soil rich in organic matter, distributed rainfall and special cultivation and processing methods all combine to make Indian cardamom truly unique in aroma, flavour, size and it has a parrot green colour.
Two types of cardamom are produced in India. The first type is the large one, which has not much significance as it is not traded in the future market. It is cultivated in North-Eastern area of the country. The second type is produced in the Southern states and these are traded in the future market. These are mainly cultivated in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. As per the future market rules, only 7mm quality was previously traded in exchanges.
But later, it relaxed its norms, and now 6mm quality is also traded in the exchanges.
Cardamom is an expensive spice, second only to saffron. Indian cardamom is known in two main varieties: Malabar cardamom and Mysore Cardamom. The Mysore variety contains levels of cineol and limonene and hence are more aromatic.
India was the world's largest producer and exporter of cardamom till the 1980s. By 1990s Guatemala emerged as the leading producer and exporter of cardamom.
The main harvest season of cardamom in India is between August and February. Cardamom reaches yielding stage two years after planting. The primary physical markets of cardamon are Kumily, Vandenmodu, Jhekkady, Puliyarmala in Kerala and Bodynaikkanur and Cumbum in Tamil Nadu.
Kerala is the main producer of cardamom and contributes up to 60% in total production. Karanataka produces around 25% cardamom of the total production. Ooty is the main producer of cardamom in Tamil Nadu and contributes around 10-15% of the total production.
Besides India, Guatemala also produces around 2, 200-ton cardamom. On the other hand, India produces nearly 1,000 - 2,000-ton cardamom per year. Due to low quality of cardamom from Guatemala, it remains available at cheaper rates.
1. After reading the passage:
Q. What role does Guatemala play in the world market?
(a) It is the biggest importer of cardamom.
(b) It is the leading producer of cardamom.
(c) It is the biggest exporter of cardamom.
(d) Both B & C.
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it is the biggest importer of caramom
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it is the biggest impoter of cardamom
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