Cardamom: An Ode to the Spice that Inspired Me
As 2024 ends, I am sitting here in the awkward time between Christmas and New Year’s, reflecting on the last 366 days (we had a leap year, remember?)—specifically, reflecting on how I grew as a cook.
2024 was the year I saw the most measurable growth with my blog and cooking. I gained hundreds of followers, solidified my brand and mission, launched a website, hosted dinner parties for friends, held a public event, and became more confident in myself and my abilities.
While scrolling through my camera roll and landing in January 2024, I saw a recipe I had tried. It was a Norwegian Cardamom Coffee Roll—a basic roll lightly spiced with cardamom and intended to be served with coffee in the morning. This recipe was from the Great Scandinavian Baking Book by Bea Ojakangas, a Finnish Duluth, Minnesota resident who has written several Nordic cookbooks and even did a segment with Julia Child.
I closed my eyes and savored every bite of the roll. I had cardamom in the past, but never like this. It reminded me of the cardamom-laced desserts my mom sometimes made when I was a kid, and I suddenly craved more of this unique spice.
My love for cardamom led to more baking. I made a loaf of challah, saved half of the dough for monkey bread, and spiced it with equal parts cinnamon and cardamom. I tested out a cardamom roll but in American cinnamon roll form. I added the fruity, peppery spice to cakes, cookies, and yeasted doughs. I could not stop baking because all I wanted was more cardamom.
Cardamom also led me to reignite my passion for embracing my family history. My dad is full Irish, and my mom is Norwegian, Danish, and Polish. I researched where my family came from and what traditional foods and desserts are from there, and I started taking language courses to learn Norwegian. Jeg snakker litt Norsk (I speak a little Norwegian!)
When I discovered traditional Nordic desserts, my heart exploded. The pastries they create are buttery, rich, and loaded with cardamom. Cinnamon will always be the most popular, but cardamom will forever hold a special place for me. It is warming yet full of spice and zing. It has fruity and minty undertones. It can be used in savory dishes or sweets. It is versatile, complex, and utterly delicious.
Cardamom reignited my drive to create food and grow my brand. It inspired me to discover more about my family’s heritage. It led me to connect with many creators, friends, and like-minded people who are passionate about trying new foods. It also led me to learn a new language and inspired me to host a public event where I sold those cardamom-spiced pastries I came to love. I know that is a lot of pressure on one little spice, but I will be forever grateful to it for inspiring me to grow.
For 2025, I hope that you will find your cardamom. Whatever that may be—a new hobby, interest, or passion. I hope you find your source of inspiration to try new things and put yourself out there. Growing is scary—it means we change, which can bring good and bad into our lives. But it is also so important. Change allows us to expand our horizons and widen our views. It gives you the chance to be someone you are destined to be.
I hope you all have a wonderful 2025! I am so excited to see what the new year has in store for Cooking Convos :)
—Zack
