Kerala is also known as the Spice Coast of India. As such, a spice tour of Kerala is common. Also referred to by different names like spice land of spice capital, an association of Kerala with spices dates back several thousand years. This is because spices are the main ingredients used in food.
Some of the spices have medicinal value, a few give the necessary color to the curry, a few possess antioxidant properties, and some of them are used just to add flavor. We can take the example of turmeric, which is used in preparing curry; it also has antioxidant properties and is a good spice that can reduce your chances of getting diabetes.
In the yesteryears, many foreign invaders tried to take over the spice plantations of Kerala. The invaders included the French, Portuguese, British India Company, and the Dutch. Most of the invaders belonged to the Mediterranean countries.
Spice Plantation Tour in Kerala
Spice plantation tours in Kerala can be undertaken in Munnar, Cochin, Kumarakom, Wayanad, and Thekaddy. While each of these places is a perfect destination for spice tours, they are also places where tourists flock, to enjoy other tourist attractions. For instance, Munnar is a hill station in India, Kumarakom is also known for its backwaters, and Cochin has beautiful beaches and historical landmarks.
Aromatic spices grown in Kerala include cardamom, pepper, clove, cinnamon, curry leaves, ginger, oregano, vanilla, rosemary, bay leaf, sage, nutmeg, basil, thyme, and mint. Pepper is produced the most; every year, Kerala produces 96% of pepper, followed by 25% of ginger and 53% of cardamom in the country.
Kerala exports spices to other countries around the world. The spices mentioned above are exported to countries like Singapore, the United States of America, Germany, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, China, Japan, Sri Lanka, and the United Arab Emirates.
In most of the places mentioned above (Munnar, Cochin, Wayanad, and Thekaddy), you can enjoy accommodation facilities inside lodges that are very close to these spice plantations. However, it is always better to book your accommodation in advance or regret not having a room in one of these lodges amidst spice plantation areas.
A spice tour of Kerala can be planned with the help of a tour operator. You can also arrange the trip on your own. But the main advantage of booking a spice tour holiday with a travel agent is that you will be provided with a tour guide.
In most cases, English-speaking tour guides are available who can show you around the spice farms and explain the entire process of spice farming in Kerala. Explore our well-customized Kerala tour packages
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Indian Holiday Pvt. Ltd. (IHPL) is a 2 time National Tourism Award winning destination management company based in Delhi. This travel blog is an initiative to inform the visitors about all aspects of India that include her history, heritage, culture and tourist attractions and destinations.
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