FAQ

Why is Kerala called the Garden of Spices?

Kerala has had a long legacy of enriching the culinary traditions across the world with its diverse collection of spices. Kerala is known for the production of spices like black pepper, green cardamom, cinnamon, clove, bay leaf, star anise, etc. No wonder it is called “the Spice Garden of India”. It has also got some unique historical and climatic aspects. The spice trade in Kerala can be traced back to centuries. Traders from different parts of the world would travel to Kerala after having identified the potential of its spices. The old ports of Muziris and Kollam flourished as hubs of spice trade in ancient Kerala which significantly drove the growth of global commerce and facilitated cultural exchange. Kerala offers ideal conditions, like the tropical climate, rainfall, loamy soil and sunshine, for the healthy growth of spices. Spice production is a cornerstone of Kerala`s economy and it provides livelihood to many farmers. Kerala has always lived up to its repute of producing high quality spices, thereby reinforcing its status as the Spice Garden of India.