I am making the Pistachio Cardamom cake for my mom's b-day. Its the 1st time I have heard of the spice, and it is nowhere to be found where I live. Where do I order it from, and do I get seeds or is it ground? What would it taste liked if I ommitted the spice? Please help ASAP! Thanks

that is an expensive spice and it sometimes can be hard to find.
here are a few online stores that might help.

http://www.cardamomspice.com/
http://www.nutsonline.com/search_results.html?q=cardamom&x=4&y=3
http://www.penzeys.com/cgi-bin/penzeys/p-penzeyscardamom.html
http://www.culinarycafe.com/Spices_Herbs/Cardamom.html

Cardamon is usually in the spiced area of any grocery store. I live in a town of only 4500 and even we have it. It is a scandinavian spice that us normally used in soups and stews but it can add an interesting flavor to sweets as well. I accidently bought it once thinking I had cinnamon and put it in my apple pie and it was awesome so now I keep it all of the time. It is normally sold in powdered form and is an amber color. Mine is Tones brand. Here is a link to order it online. I hope this helps! And dont be afreaid to experiment with it! http://www.yourfoodstore.com/alpha.php?categoryid=36

The spice itself is not Scandinavian, however, it is used extensively in Scandinavia.

It's a member of the ginger family and grows mostly in tropic regions. It has a very unique flavor with a menthol bite.

I recommend Penzey's for online spice shopping. I have used them for years.

If you have World Market in your area, they sell it there.

I found it at the local grocery store.

Cardamom is an Indian spice with an interesting flavour. It is sold in powdered form or in pods. You sure can find it in an Indian grocery store if you have one in your area.

THANK YOU ! Y'all are so helpful here. I love CC! I am a newbie and in a small southern town in Georgia. It really is nowhere here & I will check out all the links to price check. I am excited to make the cake. I 'll tell you how it tastes. Thanks again

I was just at my local Co-OP store and they have it in the bulk section. Try a health food store or Whole Foods, Trader Joes, somethiing like that.

Thank you Uniqueask, found it.

So, I made the cake and it was really good. Cardamom is VERY stong. It made the cake remind me of the holidays because of the spice. Very piney. It actually reminds me of fresh toasted pinenuts - which my mom LOVES. However, she didn't like the cake. I made it again w/ out the spice and she really liked it. However my hubs likes the spiced much better.