The Kerala spices have a prominent role in the history of Kerala and India. Kerala was famous all around the world because of the money it brought to the state in ancient times. Musiriz, an ancient port in Kerala was the base of the spice trade in the historic times. It is believed that the western colonization of India was in order to control the spice trade from Kerala. This resulted in the arrival of Vasco da Gama to Kapad beach in Kerala and the western colonization followed by.
Those who don’t know about Kerala, it is a southern state of India and is the favorite destination of food lovers. Kerala is famous for both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes using egg, fish, and meat. Kerala cuisine is different from other Indian dishes because of the lavish use of spices. Black pepper, chilly powder, green cardamom, and curry leaves are widely used in Kerala dishes.
There are many varieties of spices grown in India. The varying climate all around India resulted in growing different varieties in different places in India. Kerala -the god’s own country is also known as the spice garden of India and as well as the spice capital of India. Let’s see list of Kerala spices that are commonly used in Kerala.
Clove (Raw)
- Clove is a popular spice used in Asian culinary.
- Adding clove into your diet will prevent tooth decay.
- Usage of clove in the food improves digestion.
- Clove also exhibits anti-microbial properties.
- You can buy good quality whole cloves online at spice basket.
Cinnamon Powder
Black pepper (Raw)
- Black pepper is known as the king of spices and is widely used in cuisines all over the world.
- The origin of black pepper is specifically from the Western Ghats of Kerala state in India.
- Black pepper is known as the second most commonly used spice in the kitchens all around the globe.
- From herbal usage to beauty treatments, the black pepper has a wide variety of uses one can ever dream of.
Sappan wood / Pathimugam
Black Pepper (Premium)
Green Cardamom 8 mm (large)
- Green cardamom powder is an ancient spice that is used in sweet dishes in the middle east and gulf countries.
- Indians use green cardamom often in Masala chai and traditional Indian sweets.
- Indian and Nepal curry masala powder always contains some bit of green cardamom always.
- It is one of the most expensive spices in the world.
- Green cardamom has many health benefits. It helps to remove/neutralize the bad breath odors.
- There are 2 common varieties of cardamoms in India - Malabar Kerala cardamom and Mysore cardamom.
- Cardamom is widely used in the preparation of Biryani and meats in India.
Tea Powder
Homemade Garam Masala
Cinnamon roll
- The cinnamon roll is a popular spice used even from the ancient era.
- Cinnamon is known for its ability to impart taste in beverages and foods.
- The medicinal properties of cinnamon are globally renown.
- We promise you that your mouth will be in debt to you forever when you open the packaging for the Cinnamon sticks you buy from spice basket.
- Just powder them, store them in a tight jar and use sprinkle them on your coffee as you like it!
Ginger Powder
Birds eye Chilli Dried
Bay Leaf
Cinnamon stick
Star anise
- Star anise is one of the signature spice that is used in Indian, Chinese, Malaysian and Indonesian dishes.
- Star anise is one of the spice ingredients of famous chines 'five-spice powder'.
- Star anise is commonly used to flavour vegetables and meats.
- Including star anise in food has several health benefits.
- Another prominent use of star anise is in perfumes.
- Star anise is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C which protects the body from cell damage due to toxins.
Dry Ginger
Cardamom 7 MM (Medium)
Nutmeg Mace (Red)
- Nutmeg mace is a spice that is widely used all over the world.
- Nutmeg mace is used to give taste to puddings, baked foods, confections, meats, vegetables etc...
- In Indian cuisine, especially Mughlai cuisine, nutmeg is used in many sweet as well as savoury dishes.
- In Kerala, nutmeg is used widely to prepare meat and to add flavours to desserts.
- Nutmeg Mace is sparingly used in garam masala too.