Cardamom Black Tea Benefits & Brewing Guide: How To Choose The Right T

Cardamom black tea is Ilam black tea blended with cardamom, giving a warm, aromatic cup. Nepal Tea Exchange's 24° Cardamom Ilam Black Tea pairs handpicked Ilam black tea with one spice. Because the base is black tea, it contains caffeine. It is simpler than a multi-spice masala chai mix.

Discover Nepal Tea Exchange's Cardamom Ilam Black Tea »

What Is Cardamom Black Tea?

Cardamom black tea is a simple idea: a robust black tea base with the sweet, citrusy, slightly floral aroma of cardamom. Cardamom is a spice most Nepali households know well. It is the flavour many people connect with a comforting cup of everyday chiya, so the taste feels familiar even to first-time buyers.

What sets cardamom black tea apart is restraint. A one-spice blend keeps the tea leaf in front. You taste the malty depth of the black tea first, then the warm, perfumed finish of cardamom. Masala chai mixes combine several spices, and the flavour is bolder and busier. Neither is better. They suit different moods and different cups.

Nepal Tea Exchange's 24° Cardamom Ilam Black Tea is built this way. It is a black tea blend made from handpicked Ilam black tea and blended with cardamom, sold as a 100gm loose-leaf pack (Rs748). Ilam, in Nepal's eastern hills, is known for orthodox teas grown at altitude, and the Ilam black tea gives the blend its structure and body.

A quick note on naming. You may see this tea called "Cardamom Masala Ilam Black Tea" in older NTE content. That is the earlier name for the same style of tea. Our original 2023 article on Nepal black tea is still available as a related read. This guide uses the current name and explains how the products differ.

Is Cardamom Tea Caffeine-Free?

It depends on what you mean by "cardamom tea."

Cardamom on its own (pods or seeds steeped in hot water, with no tea leaf) is naturally caffeine-free.
Cardamom black tea is different. Its base is black tea, which comes from the Camellia sinensis plant, so 24° Cardamom Ilam Black Tea is a black tea blend and contains caffeine.

This matters because many online articles use "cardamom tea" for both. If you are sensitive to caffeine, avoid it late in the day, or are looking for a spice-only herbal infusion, this blend is not that product. We do not quote a milligram figure here, because caffeine in any cup varies with leaf quantity, water temperature and steeping time.

For a side-by-side look at how this tea compares with masala chai and plain black tea, read our complete tea comparison.

Cardamom Tea Benefits

People have enjoyed cardamom and black tea for generations, and both have a long place in food traditions across South Asia. Here is what each ingredient is traditionally valued for. Nothing here is a medical claim.

Aroma and sensory comfort

Cardamom contains naturally occurring aromatic compounds, including terpenes such as cineole, which contribute to its fresh, slightly minty-sweet scent. Many drinkers find the aroma uplifting and the warmth of a cup relaxing.

Traditionally valued for digestion

Cardamom is traditionally enjoyed after meals in many cultures, and a warm cup may support a feeling of comfort after eating. Traditional use is not the same as clinical proof, and individual experiences vary.

Breath-freshening tradition

Cardamom has long been chewed or infused in food traditions for its refreshing aroma. Studies suggest aromatic spices may contribute to a fresher-feeling mouth, but tea is no replacement for regular dental care.

Black tea polyphenols

Black tea contains naturally occurring plant compounds called polyphenols, including theaflavins formed during oxidation. Research is ongoing, and these compounds are usually discussed as part of a balanced diet.

A mindful moment. Brewing loose-leaf tea slows you down. Measuring leaves, watching the colour deepen and breathing in the aroma can turn tea time into a pause in a busy day.

Please note: these statements are general and traditional in nature. Cardamom black tea is a food product and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

For a deeper, balanced look, read Cardamom Tea Benefits: Polyphenols and What Research Really Says.

Cardamom Black Tea vs. Masala Chai vs. Plain Ilam Black Tea: Which Should You Buy?

Nepal Tea Exchange offers three related teas that shoppers often confuse. This table sets out the differences, using what each product listing states.

	24° Cardamom Ilam Black Tea	Masala Tea Blend (Souvenir Collection)	01° Organic Ilam Black Tea
Base	Ilam black tea	Black tea	Ilam black tea
Spices	One: cardamom	Four: cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, ginger	None added
Format	100gm loose leaf	25 tea bags	Loose leaf (see product page for pack weight)
Price	Rs748	Rs390	Rs985
Contains caffeine?	Yes	Yes	Yes
Best for	A gentle, aromatic one-spice cup; chiya-style brewing	A bolder, spicier cup in a convenient bag; gifting	Tasting the leaf on its own, without added flavour

Choose 24° Cardamom Ilam Black Tea if you like the familiar warmth of cardamom without a crowd of other spices, or you want the flexibility to brew it as a straight infusion or a milk-based chiya.

Choose the Masala Tea Blend if you prefer a bolder, multi-spice profile and the ease of tea bags, or you want a compact souvenir gift.

Choose 01° Organic Ilam Black Tea if you want a clean, spice-free cup to appreciate the character of Ilam black tea itself.

Explore all three in the Black Teas collection, or read the full buying guide: Cardamom Black Tea vs. Masala Chai vs. Ilam Black Tea.

Shop: 24° Cardamom Ilam Black Tea · Masala Tea Blend, 25 Tea Bags · 01° Organic Ilam Black Tea

How to Make Cardamom Black Tea: Steeping vs. Nepali Chiya

You can brew 24° Cardamom Ilam Black Tea in two ways. Each has its own timings, so follow the method you choose rather than mixing them.

Method 1: Straight steeping

A lighter, cleaner cup, no milk required. You need 1 teaspoon of leaves, about 300 ml (10 oz) of freshly boiled water, and a teapot or mug with an infuser.

Boil fresh water.
Add 1 teaspoon of leaves to your pot or infuser.
Pour in about 300 ml of boiling water.
Steep for 3–5 minutes. Closer to 3 is lighter; closer to 5 is stronger.
Strain and sip. Add honey or sugar if you like.
Second infusion: re-steep the same leaves for about 1 minute longer than the first steep.

Method 2: Traditional Nepali chiya

A creamy, comforting cup. You need 1½ teaspoons of leaves, about 180 ml (6 oz) of water, about 120 ml (4 oz) of milk, a small saucepan, a strainer and sweetener to taste.

Add 180 ml of water and the tea leaves to a saucepan.
Boil for 2–3 minutes.
Add 120 ml of milk and bring back to a boil.
Take it off the heat and rest for 1–2 minutes.
Bring it to a boil one more time.
Strain into your cup and sweeten to taste.

Brewing tips

Use fresh, good-quality water. It lets the aroma of the tea come through.
Measure your leaves. A level spoon gives consistent results.
Adjust to taste. Brew a little shorter if the cup tastes too strong, a little longer if you want more depth.
Store your tea well. Keep it in an airtight container away from heat, light and moisture to protect the aroma.

For more detail and extra tips, read How to Make Cardamom Black Tea: Straight Steeping vs. Nepali Chiya.

Ready to brew your own cup?

Explore the Black Teas Collection »

Cardamom Tea Side Effects & Who Should Be Cautious

Cardamom black tea is a food product that most people enjoy in moderation. A few points are worth keeping in mind.

Caffeine sensitivity. The black tea base contains caffeine. If you are sensitive, you may prefer to limit how much you drink and avoid it close to bedtime.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding. If you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or breastfeeding, check with a qualified healthcare professional before adding any new tea or herbal product to your routine.
Medications and health conditions. If you take regular medication or manage a medical condition, ask your healthcare professional whether caffeinated teas and spices are suitable for you.
Allergies. Spices can occasionally cause reactions in sensitive people. Stop drinking the tea if you notice any discomfort, and seek advice if it continues.
Moderation. As with any caffeinated drink, enjoy it as part of a varied, balanced diet.
Children. Caffeinated drinks are generally not recommended for young children.

Best Time to Drink Cardamom Black Tea

There is no single "right" time, but a few moments suit this tea well:

Morning: a warm cup alongside breakfast, especially the milk-based chiya method.
Mid-afternoon: a gentle pick-me-up, perhaps with a light snack.
After a meal: a straight-steeped cup is a pleasant, fragrant finish.

Because it contains caffeine, caffeine-sensitive readers may prefer to enjoy it earlier in the day. For an evening cup, consider a caffeine-free option instead.

Why Choose Nepal Tea Exchange's Cardamom Ilam Black Tea

Nepal Tea Exchange is a Kathmandu-based specialty tea brand focused on single-origin orthodox teas and tisanes from Nepal's high-altitude growing regions, with a particular focus on the Ilam valley. Here is what makes this blend worth a place in your cupboard.

Handpicked Ilam black tea. The base leaf comes from Ilam, a region known for its cool-climate teas.
One clear flavour. Black tea blended with cardamom, without a long list of spices.
Two ways to enjoy it. Brew it as a light straight infusion or as a rich Nepali chiya with milk.
Loose-leaf format. A 100gm pack lets you measure each cup to your liking and re-steep the leaves.
A familiar taste with a quality base. The warmth of cardamom many people grew up with, in a carefully sourced tea.

Bring home the one-spice Ilam black tea.

Shop 24° Cardamom Ilam Black Tea from Nepal Tea Exchange »

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is cardamom tea caffeine-free?

Cardamom on its own is naturally caffeine-free. Cardamom black tea, including 24° Cardamom Ilam Black Tea, is made with a black tea base and contains caffeine.

2. What are the benefits of cardamom tea?

Cardamom and black tea are traditionally enjoyed for their aroma, warmth and comfort after meals. Cardamom black tea is a food product and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

3. What's the difference between cardamom tea and masala chai?

Cardamom black tea uses a single spice with the black tea. Masala chai blends several spices. NTE's Masala Tea Blend lists cinnamon, cardamom, cloves and ginger.

4. How do you make cardamom black tea?

Steep 1 teaspoon of leaves in about 300 ml of boiling water for 3–5 minutes. Alternatively, follow the Nepali chiya method above with milk.

5. How long should you steep cardamom black tea?

For straight steeping, 3–5 minutes. For a second infusion, steep about 1 minute longer. For chiya, boil with water for 2–3 minutes before adding milk.

6. Can you add milk to cardamom black tea?

Yes. The Nepali chiya method uses about 120 ml of milk with 180 ml of water, brought to the boil, rested briefly and boiled again.

7. Can you reuse cardamom black tea leaves for a second cup?

Yes. Re-steep the same leaves for about 1 minute longer than the first infusion. The second cup is usually milder.

8. Is cardamom tea safe during pregnancy?

Because this tea contains caffeine, and because individual circumstances differ, check with a qualified healthcare professional before drinking it during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

9. Does cardamom tea help with digestion?

Cardamom is traditionally enjoyed after meals, and a warm cup may support a feeling of comfort. Experiences vary, and this is not a medical claim.

10. What does cardamom black tea taste like?

Expect a malty, full-bodied black tea with a warm, sweet, floral-citrus aroma from the cardamom, smoother and simpler than a multi-spice masala blend.

Continue reading with our three supporting guides, published this week on Nepal Tea Exchange:

Also worth a read: Tea? Discover The Best Nepal Black Tea (our 2023 article).

Disclaimer (Food Act, 2081)

The information in this article is provided for general educational and informational purposes only. Cardamom Ilam Black Tea is a food product, sold in accordance with Nepal's Food Act, 2081 and the guidance of the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control (DFTQC). Statements about cardamom, black tea and their traditional uses have not been evaluated as medical claims, and this product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. This content is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or managing a health condition, please consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your diet. Individual experiences vary. This tea contains caffeine.