Black Cardamom 100g | Cao Guo 草果

Cao Guo (草果), black cardamom, 100g dried. Large, ridged, smoky-brown pods with a bold camphorous aroma — the pod that gives Yunnan and Sichuan braises their depth, and a warming herb in its own right.

• 100g of whole dried black cardamom pods
• Botanical name Lanxangia tsao-ko (Amomum tsao-ko)
• Large ridged pods with a smoky, camphorous aroma
• Damp-transforming category of the Chinese materia medica
• Essential in braises, hotpot bases and stocks

Traditional use of Black Cardamom

Cao Guo is described in Chinese medicine as drying dampness and warming the middle burner. In Yunnan it has never been a purely medicinal herb — it is simply what goes in the pot.

Names for this herb

Pinyin Cao Guo · Chinese 草果 · pharmaceutical Latin Fructus Tsaoko · botanical name Lanxangia tsao-ko · English: black cardamom, tsaoko fruit, Chinese black cardamom · Cantonese: cho gwo

Chinese herbs are sold under many names. If you were given a different name or a prescription slip you cannot match, send it to us and we will identify it for you.

Traditional use information is provided for general education only and is not medical advice. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Consult a qualified practitioner before use, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or managing a health condition. Keep out of reach of children.