Spice Plantations in Kerala

Kerala Backwater takes you on tours of the Spice Plantations of Kerala. Kerala is known for its fabulous spices. Traders from ancient Phoenicia made tours to Kerala to carry back its aromatic spices to Mediterranean lands. Pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and more… the spices of Kerala were used in the West to all flavor to food and wine and to preserve meat during the cold European winter.
 

Spices can be defined as " aromatic substances of vegetable origin, used for flavoring food or as a preservative." Many spices are also known to have medicinal value, for instance turmeric is a known anti-oxidant and curry leaf can control prevent diabetes.

Pepper, Ginger, Cinnamon, Vanilla, Nutmeg- the very mention of these spices fills the air with an exquisite aroma. Kerala is home to many of these aromatic delights. A treasure trove of natural wonders, spice plantations in Kerala are glittering diamonds on the crown of the land of sun and sand.

These spice plantations have been coveted destinations for the big wigs of Europe. Britain, Portugal, France and Holland have made a beeline for these wondrous gold mines and fought hard to establish control. Merchants from China and Arabia have also flocked to these lovely locales.

The cooler climes of Munnar and Wayanad houses many of the spice plantations. Pepper, cloves, cinnamon, ginger and cardamom, thyme, basil, mint, vanilla, bay, sage, rosemary, oregano are some of the spices that are much sought after souvenirs from the land of coconuts.

Spices jazz up even the most insipid fare. Besides, healing powers are also attributed to these miracles of nature.

The spice orchards are very popular tourist haunts. They couple as backwater getaways, trips to misty cooler climes and exquisite shopping destinations. Several hotels and palatial resorts are also a part of the smart marketing moves by the ministry of tourism to attract more footfalls.

The East India Companies of various European powers - the Portuguese, the Dutch, the French and the English fought over possession of the trade routes and the precious spice plantations of Kerala. Today you can simply take a tour with Kerala Backwater and find yourself enjoying the hospitality of the spice plantations of Kerala on Kerala tours.

The spice plantations of Kerala are fascinating farms to wander in, for different sections of each plantation are dedicated to different spices. Apart from spices traditionally grown in India such as pepper, cinnamon, ginger and cardamom farmers in Kerala have taken to growing spices that are used worldwide. Some of the spices cultivated in spice plantations are vanilla, oregano, rosemary, thyme, basil, mint, bay leaf and sage.

Take a trip to the spice plantations of Kerala with Kerala Backwater and feel transported into a green paradise. Walk through the aromatic spice gardens where the air is laden with the fragrance of nature's bounty.

Some spice plantations in Kerala offer tourists accommodation in the lodges and mansions on the plantation. Guest can stay with the plantations owner's family and enjoy home cooked traditional Kerala cuisine and witness the activities of the spice plantation.

Go for nature walks and bird watching treks, wander through the plantations, taste the various spices and breathe in the fragrant air on Kerala tours of the spice plantations of Kerala with Kerala Backwater. The tranquil spice plantations of Kerala are a refreshingly different eco tourism option among Kerala tours with Kerala Backwater.

Spice cultivation in Kerala

Many different spices are cultivated in Kerala. Some of the spices that Kerala is famous for and which you will see on tours of the spice plantations of Kerala, are:

Pepper
Cardamom
Cinnamon
Ginger
Vanilla
Nutmeg

From time immemorial, Kerala has been the centre of spice trade between the countries of the Middle east and Europe. Merchants sailed thousands of nautical miles to buy the famed spices from Kerala in return for the valuables and assets from their countries. The spices of the state are held in much popularity throughout the globe for their variety and quality. Some of the spices also hold medicinal value.

Spices, which form part and parcel of the cuisine of Kerala, constitute an integral element in the state’s group of agricultural commodities. It also forms an important commercial crop in terms of domestic consumption and export. The climate of Kerala is conducive to the growth of spices. Spice tourism has been doing very well in the state. The renowned spice plantations in the state are located amidst picturesque scenery and are excellent picnic spots for a weekend trip. Spice walk, camp fire, treetop lunch, spice shopping etc make the tour packages attractive.

Assorted spice tours are organized by the resorts and homestays of Kerala wherein the tourists can roam around the numerous spice plantations, terraced farms and verdant patches of greenery, soaking in the sweet smelling air around, and getting to taste the local food made hot, rich and scrumptious by the use of fresh ginger, nutmeg, vanilla, pepper, cinnamon, clove and garlic.  

To facilitate spice tourism in the state, the department has made arrangements for conducting training courses on spices that benefit both the tourists as well as the industry.

Visitors can avail the tours to spice-scented farms and gardens and be informed about the varied varieties grown in the state, grading and quality control measures, packaging methods and so on. The aroma, texture and flavour of the export quality spices and condiments are to be experienced to be believed. 
 

Spice Tourism in Kerala......

Munnar Hotels , Resorts - Kerala

Thekkady Hotels , Resorts - Kerala

Wayanad Hotels , Resorts - Kerala