Cardamom isn’t quite as familiar as most of the other spices mentioned here. But there is a good chance that you have already tasted it without even knowing what it was. With its distinctively sweet-spicy flavor, it is perfectly suited to a variety of desserts and sweets.

Cardamom is actually a pretty expensive spice, which is probably why it isn’t as common as other spices. The good news is that you don’t really need a lot to impart its unique flavor characteristics to what you’re cooking.

Cardamom is believed to have cancer-fighting properties. It is also used to provide relief from asthma, and to prevent the action of harmful microbes.