The cardamom Guatemala essential oil can be used in various spice blends or savory flavors. It also brings a typical minty floral, and woody effect to various fruit flavors, and freshness to citrus compositions.
Firmenich sources Cardamom in Guatemala through a leader of Cardamom essential oil located in Central America, Nelixia. Firmenich is a minority stakeholder of Nelixia who is also a Naturals Together™ partner.
Along Nelixia and a local NGO, Firmenich has implemented a long-term sourcing project on a responsible basis. The focus is on Cerro san Gil area, a natural reserve where deforestation is critical. The project managed to increase local communities’ empowerment and incomes by reorganizing the supply chain without external intermediaries and establishing a drying facility easily accessible for Q'eqchis communities.
Trees have been planted for reforestation, offering a diversification of revenues for farmers and shade for cardamom fields, which increases the crop yield.