Elakka Paal: Warm Cardamom Milk Recipe

To make elakka paal (warm cardamom milk), crack 1 to 2 green cardamom pods, simmer them in 1 cup of milk for 2 to 3 minutes, sweeten to taste and strain. It takes about five minutes and needs only milk, fresh cardamom and a little sugar or jaggery.

Ingredients for one large glass

• 1 cup (about 240 ml) milk. Full-fat is creamiest, but any milk works.
• 1 to 2 green cardamom pods
• 1 to 2 teaspoons sugar, jaggery or honey (optional)

Method

1. Crack the cardamom. Press the pods with the back of a spoon until they split. For a stronger flavour, take out the seeds and crush them.
2. Warm the milk with the cardamom. Put both in a small pan on low to medium heat.
3. Bring it up once, then lower the heat and simmer gently for 2 to 3 minutes. Stir so it doesn't catch at the bottom.
4. Sweeten. Stir in sugar or jaggery while the milk is hot. If you're using honey, wait until the milk is cool enough to sip, then stir it in.
5. Strain into a glass and drink warm.

How much cardamom should you use?

One pod per cup gives a gentle flavour. Two pods, or the crushed seeds of one, give a clearly cardamom-forward glass. More than that can turn slightly bitter and soapy. If you're making milk for a family, count one pod per cup and adjust next time.

If you've never taken seeds out of a pod, our guide on how to peel cardamom seeds shows the quickest way.

Variations

• Saffron: add 3 to 4 strands with the cardamom. A festive version.
• Turmeric and pepper: add a pinch of turmeric and a pinch of crushed black pepper for a golden milk.
• Nuts: blend 6 to 8 soaked almonds or cashews into the milk before heating for a thicker drink.
• Dates: simmer 2 chopped dates in the milk and skip the sugar.
• Cold: let it cool, then chill. It's lovely on a hot afternoon.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Using whole, uncracked pods. Very little flavour gets out in 3 minutes. Always crack them.
• Boiling hard for a long time. It dulls the cardamom and can scorch the milk. Simmer gently.
• Adding honey to very hot milk. It changes the taste. Add it once the milk is drinkable.
• Stale cardamom. One fresh, green pod does more than three pale old ones.

Is it suitable for children?

Cardamom milk is a common drink for children in Indian homes. Don't give honey to babies under 12 months, and strain out pods and seeds for small children.

Does cardamom milk help you sleep?

Many people find a warm drink relaxing before bed, and that routine can help. But there isn't good scientific evidence that cardamom itself improves sleep. Enjoy it as a comforting, fragrant drink, and see a doctor if poor sleep is a regular problem.

Cardamom milk also works as a base for sweets. For a richer dessert, see our post on using cardamom in payasam. It all starts with fresh pods, like our whole Idukki cardamom.