Warm Cardamom Milk (Elaichi Doodh)
Today we are making Warm Cardamom Milk (Elaichi Doodh)! My mom made this elaichi milk recipe all the time for me growing up, and still makes it before going to bed sometimes for a more restful sleep. It’s a comforting, soothing drink that doesn’t hype you up in the middle of the night like coffee does, but is still a warm latte to make when you’re looking for a delicious and cozy drink!
Elaichi is the Hindi word for cardamom, but choti elaichi translates to “small cardamom,” which refers to the small green cardamom versus the larger brown cardamom pods that are used in other Indian recipes. These small green cardamom pods can be found at an Indian grocery store, and have a slightly warm, minty, pine-like, spicy flavor. Although they grow in the tropical areas of Asia, like South India, the majority of the cardamom now grows in Guatemala!
This cardamom saffron milk uses these green pods, as well as saffron threads. Saffron is a spice, and is actually the most expensive spice in the world! There are many places that sell knockoff, dyed red saffron threads. However, you can usually find true saffron at Indian grocery stores. Since the flavor is intense (and they’re so expensive) you’ll find just a few small threads per box that you can buy. It adds an earthy, floral flavor to recipes, and you’ll find it used in Indian desserts and drinks!
Both green cardamom and saffron offer health benefits as well as adding lots of flavor. Cardamom has been used as medicine for ages in India, due to its healing properties. One major benefit is helping the digestive system to reduce bloating and gas. They’re also used as natural mouth fresheners (begone, bad breath)!
Why You’ll Love This Warm Cardamom Milk (Elaichi Doodh)
Indian Flavors: Imagine indulging in the heartwarming embrace of this flavourful milk. This drink is like a journey through India’s diverse flavors, with each sip telling a story of tradition and taste!
Captivating Aromas: The moment you start preparing this drink by crushing those fragrant cardamom pods, you’ll smell the flavor coming through! The gentle warmth of the spices as they infuse in the milk creates a mesh of flavors that takes you straight to the vibrant spice markets of India.
A Tradition of Comfort: This simple drink isn’t just a beverage, but also a hug in a mug. It brings comfort on chilly evenings and offers solace after a long day, when you’re seeking warmth and nourishment in a soothing drink. We all have those days – it’s gloomy outside, it’s getting dark at just 4:30pm during the colder months, you come home from work exhausted and don’t want to move. Before you curl up in a blanket and binge your favorite TV show, take 10 minutes to make this drink. A warm drink is so satisfying, especially on those days. It helps to make you feel just a ~little~ better while you take some time for self-care.
Wellness in Every Sip: Beyond its taste, this drink is a treasure trove of wellness. The soothing cardamom, known for aiding digestion and relieving stress, blends harmoniously with milk to create a drink that nurtures both body and soul.
Substitutions
Milk: You can substitute the oat milk with almond milk, cashew milk or another non-dairy milk. Some plant-based milks have a different taste when they’re hot versus when they’re cold (like soy milk). Taste test the milk when it’s heated, before using in this recipe. Personally, I like the taste of oat milk in lattes the best! For a more whole milk flavor using vegan milks, you can try Silk’s Next version of cow’s milk, or even full-fat, canned coconut milk for the richest taste.
Green Cardamom Pods: Green cardamom pods are a major part of this recipe as they add a fragrant and slightly sweet flavor to the milk. You will need to crush them to release their aroma and taste, versus using the whole pod. Do not substitute with any other spice.
Saffron: Saffron strands add a unique flavor and a beautiful golden color to the milk. However, they can be expensive and you can omit if needed.
Xylitol: Xylitol is a more natural alternative to white sugar. Adjust the amount of sugar according to your taste. You can also use alternative sweeteners like agave nectar or pure maple syrup if desired.
Warm Cardamom Milk (Elaichi Doodh) Recipe Notes
- You can customize this recipe by adding a pinch of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, a fresh cinnamon stick or even a few strands of crushed dried rose petals for extra flavor dimensions.
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If you make this Warm Cardamom Milk (Elaichi Doodh), then leave a comment and star rating! Don’t forget to tag your photos @peanut_palate on Instagram. Enjoy!
Warm Cardamom Milk (Elaichi Doodh)
Equipment
- Mortar & Pestle or Spice Grinder
- Saucepan
- Sieve
- Milk Frother optional
Ingredients
- ¾ cup oat milk
- 3 small green cardamom pods
- 2-3 strands fresh saffron
- 1-2 tsp xylitol
Instructions
- Crush the green cardamom pods with a mortar & pestle, or make cardamom powder with a spice grinder.
- Add all ingredients, including the crushed cardamom, to a small saucepan over medium heat on the stove. Add 1-2 tsp of sweetener, such as pure maple syrup or xylitol. Taste test the milk with 1 tsp, and add more as desired.
- Allow the milk to boil. Once boiling, turn the heat off. Cover and let the hot milk sit for 5 minutes to infuse the flavor.
- Pour the milk into a mug through a sieve.
- If you prefer frothy milk, then froth the milk mixture using a milk frother.
- Enjoy it hot!
