On a recent excursion to Navy Yard my roommate wanted a hot coffee and I was craving ice cream. Thank you Philz and Ice Cream Jubilee, respectively, for having Yards Park locations. Lindsay ordered the fun sounding “Philharmonic” featuring Cardamom, Maple and Earth. (Earth? Not sure what this means, but OK Phil) At Ice Cream Jubilee, I shamelessly tasted all the flavors even though I knew I wanted the Cardamom & Black Pepper. A savory ice cream? Yes please. The thought of it made my tastebuds water tears of joy. After our roomie outing we agreed, say yes to all things Cardamom.
Cardamom is a spice that comes from the seeds of plants in the ginger family. It is native to Southeast Asia and has numerous health benefits – it can improve digestion and oral health, lower blood pressure, and prevent blood clots. (Read the full list of benefits here). Fortunately the tantalizing spice exits elsewhere in the District so you can reap the cardamom benefits from breakfast through dessert. Check out these five cool spots to try cardamom in DC!
Coconut & Cardamom Pop
It tasted as cute as it looks and brought back all the nice feelings of popsicles, the ice cream truck and childhood via a more sophisticated, adult flavor. Scrumptious, and gone in too few bites, the coconut offered a creamy taste and the cardamom gave some texture and a light flavor punch. Highly recommend before Pleasant Pops changes up the menu!
Cardamom Latte
Cozy and delightful. The nicely blended latte offers a genuinely well mixed coffee and cardamom flavor. Many places add a cardamom simple syrup which also sweetens the coffee. The Coffee Bar nails a more natural blend.
Brooklynn Smoothie
This green smoothie is basically a meal. Packed with all your super foods, and blended with cardamom for some extra TLC, its tasty clean food that leaves you full. The Brooklynn is made with pineapple, kale, avocado, cardamom, almond milk, fresh lemon juice, and agave.
Philharmonic Blend
The Philharmonic tantalized my nose and taste buds with its robust cardamom, floral and minty aromas. I’d suggest this for a Philz first timer – the inviting cardamom flavor makes it satisfying year round, hot or iced.
Black Pepper & Cardamom Ice Cream
I said it before and I’ll say it again. A savory ice cream? Yes please. I don’t love sweet things, so this flavor was my match made in heaven. The cardamom offered a light, hint of sweetness, and the black pepper gave a spicy twist. Neither the cardamom or the black pepper over powered one another. Ice Cream Jubilee has struck the perfect flavor balance struck within its dairy blend and homemade waffle cone.
Know of more cool spots to taste Cardamom in DC? Tweet @_greerhunter or @hungrylobbyist