Thekkady Trips - Paradise in Gods Own Country, Kerala - Travel and Tours information

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Kumily, at the outskirts of Thekkady, is an important spice trading centre and handles a major share of the trade in pepper and cardamom. Besides being an auction centre, many wholesale and retail shops function here.

Cardamom

Spice trade in Kerala dates back 7500 years. The Spice Coast of Malabar has found mention in ancient travelogues. And if chilli and pepper have been the hot favourites across time, the cardamom of Malabar is considered the best in the world. In fact, today only cardamom from Kerala is used for any medicinal purposes in the West.

Cardamom ( Elettaria cardamomum), apart from its medicinal qualities, has a pleasing flavour and aroma that makes it a chief condiment for tea, cool drinks, confectioneries and sweetmeats, vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. At 750-1000 m above sea level the wooded Western Ghats are the home of the cardamom. The hills of Idukki district, which is the main cultivator of the spice, are called Cardamom Hills.

India is the world's largest producer of cardamom and Kerala contributes the lion's share. Commonly used in the state (and in the country), cardamom is available at all provision stores, super markets and state owned emporia across the country. Though the standard price is around Rs. 500/kg to Rs. 600/kg it may vary depending on quality.

Pepper

Recently one of our guests from Finland reported with great enthusiasm. ''Yesterday I fulfilled one of my greatest ambitions ....". He had visited a pepper plantation the previous day. Many of his friends too shared his excitement having seen the precious pepper in its natural habitat.

In Kerala pepper is cultivated in a mixed crop environment. In Wayanad, pepper is planted amongst coffee plantations, and cultivated on a large scale. Pepper is also a main item in most kitchen gardens of Kerala.

The spice-scented shores of Kerala have beckoned traders from time immemorial, and its allure continues to hold sway even today. The spices trade still dominates the commercial transactions of the State. India, the world's largest exporter of spices, realises three fourths of its total output from the rich plantations of Kerala.

Kerala's spice trade with Babylon and Egypt can be traced back to the 3rd millennium B.C. Cinnamon from Kerala was used in embalming the dead bodies of the Pharaohs and in the manufacture of perfumes and holy oils. King Solomon of Israel (1000 B.C) is recorded to have sent his ships to Kerala for spices. Cinnamon from Kerala first found its way to the Middle East through the Arabs.

Clove and Spices

A common spice of Kerala, cloves are the dried floral buds of Eugenia caryophyllaeta. Keralites call it Grambu or Karayambu.

Clove is one of the key ingredient of 'garam masala' (spices in varying proportions roasted and powdered). Traditionally garam masala is prepared and preserved at home, but now masala in ready to use powder form is available under different brand names. Cloves are also used to flavour sweets.

Cloves are available in sealed packs, which can be preserved for years together, at any provision store in the state. In addition to being a flavouring agent clove has medicinal value too. Clove oil is a balm for tooth ache - Even the crushed leaves of the clove tree give relief to tooth ache. Clove oil is also effective in the treatment of acidity and indigestion. Prices varies according to quality and seasons.

Natural Chips from Kerala

Chips are a favourite snack with people of all ages, all over the world. Anyone would be familiar with Pringles potato chips, Bahl-Sen flavoured chips and a variety of French fries. And no one would deny the fact that once they begin to eat chips they can never stop.

In Kerala, our exotic cuisine offers a rare variety of natural chips - without artificial colours or added flavours. We make chips from unripe bananas, jack fruits, tapioca, potatoes etc. You can find chips makers all over the State. These crisp, salty, deep fried thin slices of vegetables are also made in the houses and the most common is the banana chips.

Prices vary according to that of the cooking oil, (usually coconut oils), bananas, jack fruits, tapioca, potatoes and so on.