Black cardamom, is one of the well-known spices. This spice is reported to be originated from the Eastern Himalayas region, and certain wild species of black cardamom are still found in this region. It is widely found in Bhutan, Nepal and India. The largest producer of cardamom is Sikkim, in India, which alone contributes to about 50% of the world’s production of black cardamom.

The name large cardamom is given to black cardamom as it is being cultivated at a large scale has a higher position in the trade. Large cardamom is called greater cardamom in English, Badi Ilayachi (Badi elaichi) in Hindi, Sthulaila, Bhadraila in Sanskrit, Bara Ilachi in Bangla, Kattelam and Perelam in Tamil, Peralam in Malayalam, .