Spices of Kerala

Spices are defined as "pungent or aromatic seasonings obtained from the bark, buds, fruit, roots, seeds or stems of various plants and trees." The spices are used either whole, ground or as extracts. Though the chief use is food flavoring, spices have been used for generations to treat diseases.

No region produces as myriad spices as Kerala on the west coast of South India, owing to a combination of fertile land and favorable weather. Kerala is referred to as "the spice Capital of the world". The spice trade dates back to 3000 years; trade in black pepper drove economic development in the state and Vasco Da Gama's visit in 1948 was the peak of the western world's initiatives to discover a sea route to India and its superior spice trade.

The once rare spices can now be found in spice racks across the world. In addition to their medicinal or cosmetic uses, they are also used in a variety of dishes and processed foods. Black pepper is referred to as the "King of Spices." The rich soil in Kerala assists the growth of large, aromatic and flavored black pepper. Its importance transcends its use as a food flavoring. Pepper is analgesic, antiseptic, and digestive; it cures dyspepsia and flatulence, and is used in Cholera pills.

Kerala also has a wealthy produce in cardamom, cinnamon, nutmeg, mace, ginger, turmeric, garlic, vanilla, and clove. Cardamom is a key cash crop. The humid climate, organic soil and distributed rainfall make cardamom grown here exclusive in fragrance and flavor. It is used to treat nausea, indigestion, sore throat, and diarrhea. Cardamom oil has antibacterial properties and is used in cosmetics.

A root of the ginger family, Turmeric is an essential cooking ingredient, used to flavor, color and preserve food. As an external antibiotic, Turmeric checks bacterial infectivity in wounds. Clove is grown in almost every courtyard. Clove oil is as an antiseptic, anesthetic, stimulant, and astringent. It brings instant relief to an aching tooth. Ginger is cultivated as a vegetable and marketed as a dried spice. Indian ginger is celebrated for its distinct taste, flavor and texture. It is an appetizer, a flavoring agent and a drug.

Garlic is a common ingredient in Kerala cuisine. It is good for asthma, bronchial congestion, and gall bladder ailments. Nutmeg is grown throughout Kerala. It is used to treat fever, asthma and heart diseases. Vanilla grows best in areas that get filtered sunlight, and flavors custards, ice creams, cakes, and rice.

To summarize, the reputation of Kerala as "the Spice Capital of the world" arises from its importance in the spice trade, which sequentially arises from a combination of fertile soil and favorable weather conditions.