The Best Spices from Kerala: A Buyer's Guide to the Malabar Coast
Kerala's most famous spices — Malabar black pepper, Alleppey green cardamom, Cochin ginger, turmeric, nutmeg, cloves and cinnamon — plus Wayanad coffee, with what makes each special.
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Kerala, on India's south-west coast, has been called the land of spices for centuries. Its monsoon climate, Western Ghats hills and long trading history make it one of the world's great spice origins.
Black pepper: "black gold"
Malabar pepper is Kerala's most famous spice, bold, aromatic and pungent. Tellicherry grades are the largest berries. "Malabar Pepper" is recognised with a Geographical Indication (GI) in India. See black pepper grades.
Green cardamom: "queen of spices"
Grown in the cool Idukki hills, Alleppey Green Cardamom (also a GI) is known for intense aroma and bold green pods. See cardamom grades.
Cochin ginger
Lemony, pungent dry ginger with a long export history. See dry ginger.
Turmeric
Alleppey turmeric is valued for high curcumin and deep colour. See turmeric.
Nutmeg and mace
Grown widely in central Kerala, often in mixed home gardens. See cloves, nutmeg and mace.
Cloves and cinnamon
Smaller volumes than pepper and cardamom, but part of Kerala's spice gardens.
Coffee from Kerala
Wayanad Robusta is Kerala's coffee (GI-recognised), often grown alongside pepper. Kerala's coast also gives its name to Monsooned Malabar. See Monsooned Malabar.
Why buy at origin
Buying close to origin means fresher crops, better traceability and direct access to grading. Our Calicut office sits on the same coast these spices have been traded from for centuries.
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Trade spices with a partner you can check
Pyalm trades spices, coffee and pulses from Calicut (Kozhikode) on the Malabar coast and Dubai, exporting to Europe and worldwide, with samples, lab reports and clear contracts. See our trading checklist, quality and products.
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