Drive up into the hills of Idukki and the air changes. It cools, it softens, and in the early morning it is often wrapped in mist. That setting is a large part of why the district has long been associated with spices.
Altitude and rain
Spices such as cardamom and pepper tend to do well where there is steady rainfall, shade and moderate temperatures. The high ground of the Western Ghats provides all three in good measure, along with the forested slopes that help hold moisture in the soil.
A working landscape
Spice growing in Idukki is not a single scene. Cardamom grows under tall shade trees, pepper vines climb supporting trees and posts, and cinnamon is grown in parts of the region too. Each has its own rhythm of flowering, harvest and drying.
Why it matters to us
When we describe a spice as coming from the highlands, we are describing a place as much as a product. We think that connection is worth keeping, and worth explaining honestly.
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