A cardamom latte is espresso with steamed milk and a small pinch of green cardamom in it. That pinch makes a plain latte something warm, floral, a lot more interesting. It’s the spiced drink we reach for when pumpkin spice feels like too much.
New to lattes in general? Start with our complete latte guide.
Key Takeaways
- A cardamom latte needs about 1/4 tsp ground cardamom per double shot
- It tastes warm, citrusy, lightly floral, not sweet like chai
- Our homemade cardamom latte contains ~140 calories with 125mg caffeine
- Grit is the most common complaint, and straining fixes it
- Whole pods beat the old jar in your cupboard every time
What Does a Cardamom Latte Taste Like?
A cardamom latte tastes warm, citrusy, with a floral edge and a cool, minty finish. Think of a regular latte that just got brighter.
Cardamom is somewhere between cinnamon and lemon peel. It softens the bitterness of coffee and makes the milk taste sweeter than it is. Thus, you won’t need much sugar. Go too heavy and it’ll turn soapy. We found that out with a heaped half teaspoon, and we still remember it.
Is Cardamom Good in a Latte?
Yes. Honestly, it might be the best spice for the job. People have brewed coffee with green cardamom across the Middle East for centuries, so the pairing is way older than any coffee chain.
It works great because the citrusy aroma cuts through rich milk. The warmth rounds off the bitter edge of espresso. We like it most with a darker roast. A light, fruity roast fights with it.
What’s better for Cardamom Latte: Whole Pods or Ground Cardamom?
Whole pods win, mainly because ground cardamom loses its aroma fast and leaves grit in the cup. That grit is what puts people off.
| Form | Per double shot | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Whole pods | 3 crushed pods | Best flavor, strain them out |
| Freshly ground seeds | 1/4 tsp | Strong aroma, little grit |
| Store-bought ground | 1/4 tsp | Weaker taste, some grit |
We keep the pods in an airtight jar away from light, and they stay fragrant for months. New to the flavor? Begin with 1/8 tsp and build up.
How to Make a Cardamom Latte at Home
This cardamom latte takes about 10 minutes and makes one 8 oz mug. It works hot or iced:
Ingredients
- 2 oz espresso (a double shot)
- 6 oz whole milk, or any milk you like
- 3 green cardamom pods, or 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 tsp honey, or to taste
- Ice, only if you’re making it iced
Steps
- Crush the pods with the flat of a knife and pop out the black seeds
- Warm the milk with the cardamom to 140-155°F, and don’t let it boil
- Take it off the heat and let it sit for 2 minutes
- Strain the milk through a fine sieve to catch any grit
- Pull your espresso into a mug and stir the honey in while it’s hot
- Froth the milk and pour it over
We always give that 2 minute rest, because if you skip it, then you barely taste the cardamom. Also, add honey to the espresso, not the milk. It dissolves better in the hot shot, and you won’t end up with a sweet layer at the bottom.
No espresso machine?
A moka pot or AeroPress works fine, and our latte guide walks through both. For an iced version, chill the strained milk and pour it over ice and espresso.
What Goes Well With Cardamom in a Latte?
Sweet, nutty flavors sit best next to it. Our pistachio latte is a natural match, since pistachio and cardamom show up together in a lot of desserts.
Swap the honey for brown sugar and you get something close to our brown sugar latte, just spicier. Prefer a gentler drink? Add a splash of vanilla, like in our vanilla bean latte.
Cardamom Latte Calories, Nutrition, and Caffeine
Our homemade cardamom latte has about 140 calories with whole milk and 125 mg of caffeine. The milk you use is what moves the numbers most:
| Milk | Calories | Fat | Sugar | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Whole milk | about 140 | 6 g | 15 g | 6 g |
| Oat milk | about 115 | 3 to 4 g | 11 g | 2 g |
| Unsweetened almond milk | about 50 | 2 g | 6 g | 1 g |
Green vs Black Cardamom: Which One Goes in a Cardamom Latte?
Green cardamom is the one you want. Black cardamom will make your latte taste like a campfire:
| Green cardamom | Black cardamom | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Small, light green | Large, dark brown |
| Taste | Sweet, floral, citrusy | Smoky, earthy, a bit cool |
| In a latte | Yes | No |
Look for green cardamom or elaichi on the label. If the pods are dark and the smell reminds you of a barbecue, put them back and keep them for savory cooking.
Bought the wrong one already?
Don’t throw it out. A single black pod in a pot of tea or a stew works well. Just keep it out of your espresso.
Final Sip
A good cardamom latte is simple: fresh pods, a short steep, and a sieve. Get those three right and you’ll skip the coffee shop version for good. Try our recipe once, adjust the cardamom to your taste, and make the cardamom latte yours.
FAQs
Is cardamom good with coffee?
Very. It makes the bitterness a bit milder with a citrusy warmth that plain coffee doesn’t have. It’s been stirred into coffee for centuries, especially in Arabic coffee, so it’s a proven pairing.
Does a cardamom latte have caffeine?
Yes. But all the caffeine is from the espresso not cardamom, as it has none of its own. A double shot gives you ~125 mg, close to a regular cup of drip coffee.
Can I make an iced cardamom latte?
Yes. With the cardamom warm the milk and let it steep then strain as usual. After that, chill it and pour it over ice and espresso for a cool, spiced version.
How much cardamom is too much?
More than about half tsp in 1 cup starts to taste bitter. Start with 1/8 tsp, taste it, then if you want a stronger flavor, add a bit more.