Spice garden kerala

Spice Garden Kerala tour

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Kerala is one of the southernmost states of India. It is world famous for it’s spices. It has several spice gardens all through the state.During our trip to Kerala in November, 2010. On our way from Cochin to Munnar, we took this Spice garden Kerala tour in an enormously spread and beautiful Spice Garden.
It was a very informative and interactive trip. As, a guide took us around the spice garden Kerala tour, filling us in with knowledge about the background and history of spices of Kerala, different spice plants, their significance etc.
spicegarden_spice-min

History of the Kerala Spices

You will not be able to believe it that Kerala was a major spice exporter right from around 3000 BC !! It’s fame as a center of exotic spices travelled far and wide in the world. Soon, the Babilonians and Egyptians were importing spices from Kerala. Later, Arabs also started trading spices with Kerala. Actually, the spices of Kerala were so famous that in the old Sumerian records, Kerala is fondly referred to as “The Garden of Spice” or “The Spice Garden of India”. As the BC era came to closure, the fame of Kerala spices had reached to the Greeks and Romans. And they also came forth to do spice trading with Kerala, specially black pepper.

Later on, when Vaso da Gama discovered a direct route between Europe and India, then the Portuguese and Dutch started using this route to do frequent trading in spices of Kerala. Some even settled in Kerala, marrying the locals and thus giving birth to new hybrid cultures. Interesting, huh! The spices can add as much flavor to life as they do to the food!!

The spice gardens of Kerala

Thus, spice growing has been an integral part of Kerala since the beginning of time. As a continuation, several spice gardens exist in the state in different parts. And these garden host the exotic spices. Many of these gardens are located at strategic tourist locations. Thus, being frequented by tourists. The one we visited on way from Cochin to Munnar was also similar.

The Spice Garden Kerala tour that we took

This garden hosted plants and trees of almost all the spices that are used across India in everyday cooking like turmeric, coriander, chilli, cumin, pepper, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg etc. It also had plants like vanilla, whose extract is widely used for commercial purposes and as an active flavoring ingredient for many food preparations. Also, it hosted many vegetable plants but they were special.
For instance, we spotted a Brinjal plant that was supposed to have medicinal values. Then there are many other plants and trees which are used for some medicinal purposes or Ayurvedic purposes, like Eucalyptus, snake plant, mint, cocoa pods, ornamental pineapples, betle nuts, brahmi. And the list goes on. We saw a beautiful dwarf wild orange plant, ladened with fresh green oranges and couldn’t help clicking it.
Spice garden Kerala
We took a guided tour of the garden and the Guide filled us in with some really valuable information. Would it not have been for him, we won’t have known that the brinjal plant we were looking at had medicinal value. And that turmeric is added to almost all Indian curry preparation with other spices because it absorbs the negative effects and harshness of the other spices, balancing the combination in turn. Or the fact that this hive we observed high up on a tree was not the one made by honey bees but rather flying ants 🙂
Spice garden Kerala

The garden store

The garden also had a shop near the entrance from where one can buy different packaged products like spices, eucalyptus oil, handmade soaps from the extracts of the flora in the garden and various other such products of Ayurvedic or Herbal cosmetic value. And the bonus is that these are available at very reasonable prices in the premises of the garden at the end of the spice garden Kerala tour. Maybe because they are extracted and prepared then and there itself!!
There is also a small nursery in one corner of the garden. From here, you can buy some of the spice plants and dwarf plants. But be specific and ask the guide if they will be able to thrive in the kind of climate that you come from. Otherwise, it will be a waste carrying them all along. We wished to buy some plants but the problem was we had just started our journey. We were going to be roaming around for the next few days. And, I am not sure if the plant would survive through the trip. So, we dropped the idea. Next time for sure!!

Famous Spices of Kerala

For your benefit, listing here the major spices that Kerala is specially known for. When you visit a spice garden, do go around and look for the corresponding plants. You may catch some breeding with the fruits. It will be fun :
Pepper

Pepper is known as the king of the spices. And Kerala is world famous as one of the leading suppliers of pepper across the world. From Kerala, pepper first traveled to Arab countries. And from there, it reached Europe. Since then the Kerala pepper has been making non stop rounds of the world from Kerala 🙂

Cardamom

While pepper is called the ‘king of spices’, cardamom is referred to as ‘the queen of spices’. It is a spice known to be as old as the human civilization itself. Kerala boasts to grow the best known variety of cardamom in India. And this is also exported to several parts of the world, with Europe being a major importer.

Cinnamon

A spice which originates from Sri Lanka, and is grown in a few parts of Kerala, Cinnamon boasts of high antioxidant properties. Kerala is also one of the major consumers of cinnamon, with most of it’s recipes including this spice. Cinnamon doesn’t have a strong flavor like most other spices, and is considered relatively mild.

Ginger

Ginger is a spice extensively used in Indian curries. It has many medicinal values. Again, ginger is grown extensively in Kerala and is also used heavily in the cuisines of Kerala. We also use ginger in our cuisines. Not only that, we do use it’s medicinal properties. For instance, when we get cold, we use ginger extract in hot water with honey for instant relief.

Turmeric

Yet another important spice used in Indian curries. Actually, turmeric is believed to have antiseptic properties. It is believed to be a cleanser of human body. It is highly used in Ayurvedic and Chinese medicines. We , in India, also use turmeric for home remedies of sickness. For instance, when you get a sore throat or a body pain, add a pinch of turmeric to a glass of warm water or milk and drink it at night before bed. It provides immediate relief.

Conclusion

So you see, Kerala has a life long connection with spices. It’s really very interesting to do a spice garden Kerala tour!! And to learn about the different spices, their role in human life and their benefits. So, when you happen to visit Kerala, don’t forget the spice garden. And do tell us how was your experience there…we will be awaiting to hear your story. You can also visit Periyar Spice Garden or Spice Garden Alleppey during your Kerala trip. These are also famous , and some of the Periyar Spice Garden also provide online shopping options.

 

Related resources from our past trips to Kerala

A scenic drive from Cochin to Munnar

6 must see places in Munnar, Kerala

God’s own country Kerala

Our Bangalore to Kerala road trip itinerary

A complete guide exploring the mesmerising Wayanad district of Kerala

One day exploring Varkala – the Amalfi of India

Spending 4 days in Munnar – the most beautiful hills of India

Listening to the sound of music at the majestic Athirapally Waterfalls 

 

PS: Some of our links are affiliated, this means we will earn a commission when you buy a service or product by clicking those links. However, this will have no extra cost for you.

 

 

Spice Garden in Kerala India, Visit one to learn about different spices, their history and significance.

52 thoughts on “Spice Garden Kerala tour”

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  9. I have never visited a spice garden but I bet it is great to see and smells wonderful. I will have to visit one when I go to India hopefully next winter. I would love to try the different spices in the great food over there 🙂

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  10. I had no idea what some of the benefits of common spices were! I generally have followed my mom’s north indian cooking in the kitchen and am familiar with all of these. But I’m so glad I got to see your list with remedies including some I haven’t yet heard of!

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  11. What a great post on the different everyday spices found in India! I didn’t know that Kerala is the world’s leading suppiler of peppers. I love these spices but it’s not always easy to get them in Canada due to the climate. I wish we had easier (and cheaper) access to turmeric and chili because they make food taste so good!

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  12. How interesting. Ever since I have moved to a more plant based diet, I am finding myself more curious about the spices we use in our food for flavour. One of them that I am constantly learning more about is turmeric. It would be so wonderful to get some of the most natural forms of turmeric from the garden here.

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