The brown cardamom pod is dark brown and is an oval pod about 2.5 cm long.The scent is camphor-like and smoky, quite different from the well-known green cardamom. The essence of the aroma of the entire cardamom is hidden in a paper-like brown pod containing 10 to 15 black seeds. It is often bitten to sweeten the breath and aids digestion. In India, brown cardamom seeds are often an important ingredient in Garam masala spice mixtures.Black cardamom is also often used for delicious dal and rice. They have a rough, fibrous outer surface.