Pliny the Elder, Natural History 12.13.51

12.13.51

Cinnamomo proxima gentilitas erat, ni prius Arabiae divitias indicari conveniret causasque quae cognomen illi felicis ac beatae dedere.
Principalia ergo in illa tus atque murra, haec et cum Trogodytis communis, tura praeter Arabiam nullis ac ne Arabiae quidem universae.

CHAP. 29.—CARDAMOMUM. Similar to these substances, both in name as well as the shrub which produces it, is the cardamomum, the seeds of which are of an oblong shape. It is gathered in the same manner both in India and Arabia. There are four different kinds of cardamomum. That which is of a very green colour, unctuous, with sharp angles, and very difficult to break, is the most highly esteemed of all. The next best is of a reddish white tint, while that of third-rate quality is shorter and blacker, the worst of all being mottled and friable, and emitting but little smell; which, in its genuine state ought to be very similar to costum. Cardamomum grows also in Media. The price of the best is three denarii per pound.