In the present article, an effective, one-step, and environmentally benign protocol for the synthesis of gold nanoparticles has been discussed. The black cardamom extract is used as a reducing agent for HAuCl 4 .3H 2 O. In order to synthesize gold nanoparticles, an aqueous solution of HAuCl 4 .3H 2 O was mixed with an optimized concentration of black cardamom extract where 1,8-cineole is the dominant component. Choosing black cardamom extract as a reducing agent can be justified under the light of the fact that it has a very fast reducing ability. Gold nanoparticles with different shapes and sizes were synthesized by varying the ratio of AuCl 4 ions to black cardamom extract. Kinetics of reactions has been evaluated through monitoring of surface plasmon behavior of gold nanoparticles as a function of time. Based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies, a tentative mechanism of reduction of Au nanoparticles has also been proposed which includes oxidation of 1,8-cineole to 2-oxo-1,8-cineole. Further, a comprehensive study to investigate the effect of pH on the synthesis of Au nanoparticles has been carried out.