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Cō-Impact Sourcing® and the dōTERRA Healing Hands Foundation™ in Guatemala

Sourcing

Why Guatemala?

Cardamom is grown in both India and Guatemala. The plant grows well in both locations and climates. In India cardamom is used primarily for the local spice industry, whereas Guatemala's supply is typically exported.

How Does it Work?

 Guatemala
Cardamom is a member of the ginger family. It grows best in the shade and the average cardamom plant lives seven years. It generally starts to bear fruit two to three years after planting and produces 10 to 20 cardamom seeds in each seedpod. Normally, it is harvested from September - February. Most cardamom is sold to the spice market.

The essential oil comes from the cardamom seeds inside the seedpods. The outer shell of the pod is green, thin, and papery. Inside are the seeds, which are small and black. They are dried for about 36 hours before being sold—either as a spice or for distillation. After drying, the cardamom pods are only a fifth of their fresh weight. The seeds are then steam-distilled for several hours to produce the essential oil.

 

Building Supplier Capacity in Guatemala

As part of mutually beneficial sourcing initiatives, doTERRA works to support farmers, producers and distillers through training and financial support. Here's how this affects cardamom farmers in Guatemala:

  • Farmers are provided with bi-weekly training about best practices for growing cardamom
  • Farmers also get hands-on experience so they can see the positive effects of these practices in their own fields
  • As a result of this training, farmers can grow higher quality and increased quantity of cardamom – and therefore receive a higher price for their product

 

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