Cardamom substitute

[Scrattajack]

Hi all,

any suggestions for a substitute for cardamom in Garam Masala? Spouse is allergic to it (not the "don't like" sort of allergy, the excessive activity at both ends, blisters all over sort). So curry houses are a no-no and I'm about to try to up my game on the homemade ones. Garam Masala seems to be used in pretty much everything and cardamom has been in every mix I've seen. Not sure whether I can just leave it out of my own or if there's an obvious replacement...

 

[Random Badger]

https://rawspicebar.com/blogs/spices-101/cardamom-substitute

 

[Scrattajack]

Thanks, an interesting read. Any thoughts as to which would be best in Garam Masala?

 

[Wilfy]

Could make your own garna masala without it. Then make mix powder with that.

 

[The Baron]

Try one of the curry's that use a base sauces on youtube who make them from Individual spices so yopu can leave out or substitute them for other spices.
MistyRicardo is a good one he even has his own books now

 

[chopps]

This is Dan Toombs Garam Masala mix.
Full of cardomom, so not sure what you’d get if you omit / swap it?

I know this doesn’t answer the question but it might help you towards making your own cardomomless Garam Masala…

 

[Scrattajack]

That's what I was asking: it is better to just leave it out of Garam Masala or is there an obvious replacement?

 

[chopps]

I’d leave it out. There’s enough going on with the other spices there. Or Maybe add some more cinnamon?

 

[The Baron]

Just googled it a sub is equal parts Cinnamon and All spice

 

[The-Engineer-That-Brews]

I’d leave it out. There’s enough going on with the other spices there. Or Maybe add some more cinnamon?

I'd totally agree with this - if make up your own spice mixes then I don't think you'll notice the omission :-)

 

[Mash Monster]

A quick google search shows cinnamon & cloves in equal amounts are a reasonable substitute if that helps

 

[Cheyne_brewer]

The dominant flavour of garam masala is black pepper, can’t say I’ve ever noticed cardamom in there.