Question

The main chemical constituent responsible for the flavour of cardamom oil is:

• A. Cineole
• B. Eugenol
• C. Geraniol
• D. Limonene

Hint:

Cardamom's aroma compound is cineole, also called eucalyptol.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Recall the essential oil chemistry of cardamom.
Cardamom oil is an essential oil obtained from cardamom seeds. Its major component, present in the largest proportion, is a cyclic ether compound called 1,8-cineole, also known simply as cineole or eucalyptol.

Step 2: Match with the options.
Cineole gives cardamom its characteristic camphor like, cooling aroma and flavour, and it makes up a large share of the oil's composition.

So option A, Cineole, is correct.

Why the others are wrong: Eugenol (option B) is the main flavour compound of cloves, not cardamom. Geraniol (option C) is associated with rose and citronella oil. Limonene (option D) is the characteristic compound of citrus peel oils like lemon and orange. None of these three is the dominant compound in cardamom oil.