Large Cardamom variety · Traditional cultivar
Ramla
Indigenous landrace of Sikkim and Darjeeling Himalayas · Farmer-maintained traditional selection
High-altitude adapted landrace suited to 1500–2200 m with 30–40 seeds per capsule. Named in local Lepcha/Limboo nomenclature; represents farmer selection for upper-elevation performance.
Key facts
| Type | Traditional cultivar |
|---|---|
| Origin | Indigenous landrace of Sikkim and Darjeeling Himalayas |
| Breeder / source | Farmer-maintained traditional selection |
| Parentage | Wild Himalayan germplasm |
| Yield | Cultivated continuously by farmers at high altitudes; exact yield range not extensively documented |
| Tolerance | Adapted to high-altitude conditions; disease tolerance profile limited in detailed literature |
| Distinctive features | Medium-sized capsules; 30–40 seeds per capsule; plant height 1.5–2.0 m; flowering May–June; harvest October–November |
| Grown in | Sikkim and Darjeeling; optimal altitude 1500–2200 m MSL |
Figures are indicative, compiled from public agricultural sources (ICAR institutes, State Agricultural Universities, the Spices Board and the National Innovation Foundation) and vary with soil, season and management. Confirm with your local package of practices.
Ramla in detail
A high-altitude landrace of the Sikkim and Darjeeling Himalayas, Ramla is a farmer-maintained selection grown across the region's upper-elevation cardamom belt.
Origin & story
Ramla is a farmer-maintained traditional selection from the Sikkim and Darjeeling Himalayan region, named in the local Lepcha/Limboo nomenclature. Rather than arising from formal breeding, it represents farmer selection for upper-elevation performance, and it is counted among the popular large cardamom cultivars grown by farmers across the region.
How it grows
Ramla is a high-altitude-adapted landrace suited to elevations of roughly 1500–2200 m in the Sikkim Himalaya. Plant height reaches about 1.5–2.0 m. Flowering occurs in May–June and harvest runs October–November. As with large cardamom generally, it is propagated by tillers and grown under shade, commonly in agroforestry with Himalayan alder.
Quality & character
Medium-sized capsules, each holding about 30–40 seeds. As with other large cardamom, the essential oil is dominated by 1,8-cineole; published oil studies of popular large cardamom varieties report 1,8-cineole in the range of roughly 63–73%, with secondary constituents including α-pinene, β-pinene, and α-terpineol, though variety-specific figures for Ramla are not separately confirmed.
Why it matters to buyers
Ramla is one of the popular large cardamom cultivars grown by farmers across the Sikkim, Darjeeling, Nepal, and Bhutan belt, which points to established farmer adoption and trade recognition. As with all large cardamom, foorkey and chirkey are the main disease constraints in the region, so check provenance and drying quality. Traders grade large cardamom by quality class, with capsule size and drying method affecting final value.
About large cardamom
Large cardamom (Amomum subulatum), India's "black gold" of the spice world, thrives in the misty Himalayan valleys where ancient landrace traditions meet modern breeding science. From the indigenous Lepcha cultivars of Sikkim to formally released high-yielding selections, this aromatic capsule spans altitude zones and carries each region's terroir in its…
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