Balancing Strong Flavors Like Cardamom

Cardamom is an intensely aromatic spice that can easily overpower baked goods if used excessively. When using 25 cardamom pods in a lemon drizzle, the concentration creates an almost medicinal, disinfectant-like aroma that softens during baking. The key to successful cardamom usage is achieving the right proportion with complementary flavors like lemon or coconut. Ground cardamom loses potency quickly, so crushing fresh pods releases more authentic flavor. In fusion baking, cardamom bridges Indian and Western traditions beautifully. Start conservatively with quantities, as the flavor intensifies during baking and becomes more subtle as it cools and melds with other ingredients.