From the menu at Baraka Cafe, Central Square:
Cardamom n. Iranian. A spice that is traditionally used in Middle Eastern countries, most notably Iran. Iranian spice connoisseurs grind cardamom seeds and use the resulting powder to season coffee. At Baraka, this seasoning garnishes the tops of tea drinks recommended as compliments to dessert. i.e.: Mahmoud refuses to drink dining hall coffee, lamenting the fact that coffee sans cardamom simply isn’t the same.