KERALA GOD’S OWN COUNTRY ♦♦♦
Which means the Guest is honoured as God is an old Indian adage more clearly, Indians consider it a big honour to have guests in their home
From the myth of retrieval of Kerala from the Arabian sea by lord Parasurama. A warrior saint the Avathar of Mahavishnu to the present day, Kerala has been the prime sought after location for the people allowver the world. It is believed that when Lord Parasurama prayed to god for a serene land to to penance, God gave him 160 kathams ( measure in those days ) The 160 Kathams form part of 38863 sq km of Kerala which is sandwitched between mountains and blue sea. this celestial land has been selected by the National Geographic Traveler as one of the 50 destinations of a lifetime and one of the thirteen paradises in the world. An equable climate serene beaches rivers tranquil stretches of backwaters lush green hills and exotic wild life are the major attractions of Kerala classical art forms colourful festivals exotic cuisine conducive accommodation facilities such as home stays serviced villas and Ayurveda the ancient Indian system of medicines have helped Kerala to gain a global reputation as a worth visit destination
Some countries are extremely fortunate in that they have one asset so outstanding and unique that the tourism industry can largely depend on and be promoted by this feature more often combination of a number of assets is necessary to create a strong enough appeal to secure a viable share of the market. if this observation is valid Kerala is an outstanding example Kerala has a variety of tourist attractions each merging into the other with great ease. Kerala an evergreen state tucked away in a south west corner of India is a palm fringed paradise for tourist it is made to order leisure land it is a land of vibrant colours and breath talking surprises with azure seas inviting golden beaches limitless surprises of greenery mist shrouded mountains and dense tropical forests gorgeous rivers and backwaters thatched villagers and no less colourful and charming people heirs to rich traditions of folklore music dance and crafts of course Kerala is one of the most sought after tourist destinations in the world fondly referred to as God’s own country Kerala has been selected as one of the must see destinations in the world
SPICES OF KERALA ♦♦♦
Kerala has always been famous for rich and exotic spices and that was also the main reason whey ancient traders followed the spice routes to Kerala and established trade centers in the state. Through this article we would introduce you to the various condiments Kerala is famous for and their uses
PEPPER
Lets start with pepper, pepper is also known as the king of spices and rightly so , because its excellent medicinal value and popularity. It was the demand of pepper that finally led to colonial conquests, war and eventually suppression. Europeans came to know about pepper through Arab trades and when they discovered Kerala’s huge potential in pepper they started their trade here varieties of pepper include Panniyur-1 Karimunda, Arakulam Munda, Kuthiravally,Balankotta and Kalluvally
GARDAMOM
With a history as old as human civilization, cardamom is a spice grown mainly in Kerala. The truly unique taste, flavor and aroma makes this spice one of the most sought after ones in the whole world. Cardamom is famous as an aphrodisiac and a stimulant, and is also used for making perfumes and breath fresheners. Other than Kerala, Arabs and Africans also use cardamom, Gardamom in Alapuzha comes in three aromatic grades, Alleppey green extra bold AGEB Alleppey green bold AGB and Alleppey green superior AGS though cardamom was rampant in ancient Kerala its use and popularity grew monstrously one the European s started using it
CLOVE
Clove was initially delegated to Indonesia, but once they were cultivated in Kerala the trade grew and now the spice is grown mostly in Kollam, Kozhikode and Thiruvanantapuram districts, clove is popular for its oils and it is added in its whole form in meat dished for added flavor clove wholly or powdered is also use to enhance the taste of payasams. Clove , with its incredible antiquity was once used by the people of Kerala to improve their dental hygiene hence it has excellent medicinal properties manufacturers us clove to make perfumes soaps and toothpastes as well
NUTMEG
Nutmeg is an essential condiment used in sauces, soaps confectionaries and several baked goods certain chefs add nutmeg as a seasoning agent. The nutmeg tree is known as Jathi in Malayalam and its fruit, Jathikka, Nutmeg in its unripened form is pale yellow and spherical and once it becomes ripe, it would have a hard, black seed and a red mace around it the nutmeg tree gives two fruits mace and nutmeg if you like to visit the plantations to see this lovely fruit you can head to south India where most of the cultivation takes place
STAR ANISE
Star Anise is a lovely looking fruit that comes from an evergreen tree, it is shaped like a star hence the name and its color can range from white to red. The fruits themselves have 6-8 carpals arranged in a whorl. Each of these carpels contains a seed within and it is this seed that use for flavoring not just meat and pickles , but vegetable dishes as well the seeds themselves are shiny brittle smooth and avoid. Many of the elders in Kerala would vouch for the medicinal properties of star anise apart from doing its primary function as a flavoring agent, like for example it’s ability in curing rheumatism helping in digestion
GINGER
Ginger is grown in other parts of the country, but the variety grown in Kerala i s believed to be of very high quality both processed and raw ginger is high in demand and many tourist take it back to their homeland some like to drink it with their tea some garnish grated ginger in their dished and some us it to appease a queasy stomach the whole ginger plant has an underground rhizome that exudes an appeasing aroma. the rhizome is also considered to be the most valuable part of the plant ginger is used in food processing for curried meats cocktails carbonate drinks liquors and soft drinks it is both a flavoring agent and a stimulant pickled ginger in vinegar is very popular among the folks of Kerala ginger as candy is extremely popular among children as well
TURMERIC
Turmeric belongs to the ginger family and has nothing to do with saffron, contrary to popular belief. turmeric is know for its huge medicinal value culinary uses and antioxidant properties. this spice must be sparingly used as it is pungent. Turmeric is capable of mulling the effects suffered by a person going through food poisoning the spice has and earthy smell a bitter peppery flavor and acts as an alternative to the expensive saffron
CINNAMON
Kerala cuisine is incomplete with cinnamon the mild flavoring agent. cinnamon has medicinal properties as well as it cures nausea and vomiting. Additionally the spice is noted for its stimulant properties. The bark of oil of cinnamon is used for making perfume and other cosmetic goods the inner bark of the mature cinnamon shoots is dried in the sun and then later in the shade it has a delicate fragrance with an agreeable taste hence used for pharmaceutical requirements liquor and even for coating sweets
VANILLA
Vanilla was not native to Kerala , it was brought here by the west but once cultivation started the demand for the spice grew the cultivation progressed because vanilla thrives in humidity at present, there are plenty of vanilla growers in the state, Vanilla is a very popular and most essential ingredient in cakes Ice creams beverages and confectionaries vanilla is a critical agent in several pharmaceutical products as well
TAMARIND
Tamarind is an essential ingredient used for flavoring dished made in Kerala it would enhance the taste and many are quite particular about the quantity of tamarind they use tamarind kernal powder on the other hand is used widely in the pharmaceutical industry dyeing and tanning textile industry cosmetic and even for making confectionaries, other commonly used spices in Kerala cuisine are cumin seeds asafoetida aniseed basil coriander celery caraway seed oregano thyme tharagon and chilly
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