Which of the following spices is known as the ‘Queen of spices’?

✅Explanation: Cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum), with its unique aroma and flavor, is often referred to as the "Queen of Spices." It is one of the most expensive spices by weight and is used in both sweet and savory dishes globally. Elettaria cardamomum is a pungent, aromatic, herbaceous, perennial plant, growing to about 2–4 m (6 ft 7 in – 13 ft 1 in) in height. The leaves are alternate in two ranks, linear-lanceolate, 40–60 cm (16–24 in) long, with a long pointed tip. The flowers are white to lilac or pale violet, produced in a loose spike 30–60 cm (12–24 in) long.

📌 Other Options Explanations:
-(A) Amomum subulatum (large cardamom): While large cardamom shares some similarities with true cardamom, it has a distinct flavor profile and is often used in different cuisines and dishes.
-(C) Piper nigrum (black pepper): Black pepper is a popular and widely used spice known as the "King of Spices" due to its versatility and pungency.
-(D) Zingiber officinale (ginger): Ginger is a pungent spice with a unique flavor and is commonly used in various culinary and medicinal applications.

✏️Kerala:
-Kerala is known as the spice garden of India as it has a variety of spices and which is popular for its taste in the whole world.
-Idukki and Wayanad are the major districts for the cultivation of spices in the entire state.
-Kerala is home to a variety of spices: pepper, vanilla, cardamom, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and turmeric.

🔑Key Points:
-Kerala is the largest producer of cardamom and pepper in India.
-Cardamom is called the queen of spices.
-The commercial part of cardamom is the fruit (capsule) of the plant that is used as a spice and a flavouring agent.
-Kerala’s reputation as the land of spices goes back at least 3,000 years.
-Kerala is known as the spice garden of India.
-Traders from ancient Phoenicia made tours to Kerala to carry back spices to Mediterranean lands.
-In the case of pepper, ginger, turmeric, nutmeg and cardamom, there has been a decrease in productivity in the state due to adverse weather conditions like long dry spells and short periods of intense rainfall.
-For cardamom, tropical, hot and humid climates are suitable. The ideal humidity level is 75%. For the past few years, Kerala has been receiving only 40% of its share of summer rainfall.
-Idukki and Wayanad are the two major pepper producer districts in Kerala.
-In 2008- 09 Kerala became the largest pepper producer state with over 41,000 tonnes on 1.75 lakh hectares.
-Presently, Kerala accounts for over 50 percent of India's total output.