The Spice Land of India

Number of posts : 1 Registration date : 2007-07-12

Kerala is known for its fabulous spices. Kerala's history is closely linked with its commerce, which in turn was wholly dependent until recent times on its spice trade. The spices of Kerala were exported to faraway lands in the ancient times and are an important industry in modern-day Kerala. Pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, cloves and more… the spices of Kerala were used in the West to give flavor to the food and wine and to preserve meat during the cold European winter. As in the past, the state continues to be the spice capital of the world.

Spices can be defined as “aromatic substances of vegetable origin, used for flavoring food or as a preservative." Spices of Kerala are famous for their distinct taste and flavor. Mostly used as condiments that flavor food, the spices of Kerala have several other uses. Some of these are used for seasoning and garnishing purposes. Others are used for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. Many spices are known to have medicinal value, for instance turmeric is a known anti-oxidant and curry leaf can control prevent diabetes.
Kerala was known for its spices and travellers around the world journeyed here to trade and to gain control over this rich land. It is believed that the spice trade dates back to three thousand years. 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 of these spice plantations.

Cool, fertile and green, verdant Kerala drenched in perfumes of native Indian spices allures you into a sun soaked paradise of cardamom, nutmeg, vanilla and cinnamon plantations interspersed with neatly clipped tea bushes and other tropical trees.
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 popular spices of Kerala that envelop the green Kerala hills in an everlasting fragrant cloud are ginger, bay leaves, curry leaves, turmeric, thyme, oregano, mint, rosemary, basil and sage.

Kerala Tourism must definitely include tours to Kerala spice plantations that give visitors an opportunity to explore a fairy tale land with rows of plantations abuzz with tiny birds and colorful insects. These spice plantations offer an enamoring experience and shows visitors a delightful world of serenity and peace.

Number of posts : 3 Registration date : 2007-07-09

What the fuck is this? Is sure isnt football. Only a gay person would put something about spices

Admin Number of posts : 16 Registration date : 2007-07-09

I have been there actually......

But why did you do this?