Spicy kerala!

PEPPER
In Kerala pepper is cultivated in a mixed crop environment. In Wayanad, pepper is planted amongst coffee plantations, and cultivated on a large scale. Pepper is also a main item in most kitchen gardens of Kerala.
The spice-scented shores of Kerala have beckoned traders from time immemorial, and its allure continues to hold sway even today. The spices trade still dominates the commercial transactions of the State. India, the world's largest exporter of spices, realises three fourths of its total output from the rich plantations of Kerala
VANILA
Description:Vanilla is the fully grown fruit of the orchid Vanilla fragrans. Vanilla is indigenous to South-Eastern Mexico, Gautemala and other parts of Central America, growing wild as a climber in the forests. Vanilla cultivation on a systematic basis began with the introduction of it into Java, Seychelles, Tahiti, Comoro Islands, Martinique, Madagascar, Uganda etc. in the 19th century and early part of the 20th century. At present Malagasy Republic is the major producer of vanilla. It was introduced in India in 1835. It is now cultivated in very limited areas in Kerala, Karnataka and Tamilnadu.
CINNAMON
Cinnamon, a bushy evergreen tree of the laurel family (Lauraceae) is native to Sri Lanka (Ceylon), the neighbouring Malabar Coast of India, and Myanmar (Burma) and also cultivated in South America and the West Indies for the spice consisting of its dried inner bark. The spice is light brown in colour and has a delicately fragrant aroma and warm, sweet flavour. It is lighter in colour and milder in flavour than the other related species.
GINGER
GINGER (Zinngiber Officianale Rosc), is one of the earliest Oriental spices known in Europe, ginger has been cultivated in India both as a fresh vegetable and marketed as a dried spice since time immemorial. The fresh, dried or powdered rhizome of a slender, perennial herb, Indian ginger has been acclaimed worldwide for its characteristic taste, flavor & texture. Ginger has always meant many things to many people. A taste- maker. A flavorant. An appetizer. A drug. Though grown all over India, the finest quality ginger comes from Kerala endowed as it is with a congenial climate and a rich earthy soil. Indian dry ginger is known in the world market as 'Cochin Ginger' (NUGC) & 'Calicut Ginger' (NUGK). India offers ginger in a variety of forms; oils, oleoresins, fresh ginger in brine, pickles, candies and syrups. It also comes in garbled/ungarbled, bleached/unbleached and powder forms. India has a predominant position inginger production and export.
NUTMEG
The spice became popular in the kitchen when the Portuguese developed trade in Spice Island, in 16th century. Nutmeg became important as medicine and spice and by the 18th century, people carried nutmeg as a personal belonging.Cultivation of this species is only possible in warm humid climates with temperatures not less than 55oF. Today this spice is cultivated in Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India, West Indies and Brazil. These spices are similar in aroma and taste, but mace is more refined. These are used in both savory and sweet dishes. Nutmeg has a warm flavor and affinity for rich foods. In Italy, it is used for filling pastas. In India these are used mainly in Moghul dishes. Arabs add it to Mutton and Lamb. Europeans use it extensively in sweet and savory dishes. Dutch recipes include nutmeg as a seasoning agent. In Indonesia, flesh of the fruit is used to make sweet meat.
CURRY LEAF
Curry leaf tree is a small deciduous tree. Most Indian cuisine cannot do without the subtle flavouring of this highly aromatic leafy spice. Curry leaf grows profusely throughout mainland. It is commonly found in forests as a gregarious undergrowth along the foot of the Himalayas, from the Ravi to Sikkim and Assam, besides Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Kerala, Karnataka, Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. The trees are also now maintained in homestead gardens, as in Kerala, or on leaf farms as in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Orissa. The western world is fast taking enthusiastically to Indian curry leaf, especially those who prefer their food to be tangy without being too hot. Indigenous to India, galanga shows exuberant growth and fine health along the eastern Himalayas and in south-west India. India exports several varieties of galanga in different forms. However, its volatile oil attracts more international interest because of its high medicinal value.
CARDAMOM
CARDAMOM or Elettaria Cardamomum Maton, rightly called as Queen of Spices is one of the most exotic and highly prized spices. Indian cardamom has a history as old as human civilization. The dried fruit of a herbaceous perennial, cardamom is grown mainly in Kerala, Tamilnadu and Karnataka, on the shady slopes of the western Ghats. Warm humid climate, loamy soil rich in organic matter, distributed rainfall and special cultivation and processing methods all combine to make Indian cardamom truly unique in aroma, flavor, size and color tempting parrot-green. Indian cardamom is offered to the international markets in different grades: 'Alleppey Green Extra Bold' (AGEB), 'Alleppey Green Bold' (AGB) and 'Alleppey Green Superior' (AGS) are names that register instant appeal worldwide. Cardamom oil is a precious ingredient in food preparations, perfumery, health foods medicines and beverages. India, a traditional exporter of cardamom to the Middle East countries where it goes mostly into the preparation of 'Gahwa' - a strong cardamom - coffee concoction without which no day is complete or no hospitality hearty for an Arab. Indian cardamom enjoys a premium preference in the Middle East, by Japanese and Russians who relish it for its distinct enriching properties. This Queen of Spices is from the High Ranges of Kerala
CASHEW
Originally spread from Brazil by the Portuguese, the cashew tree is now cultivated in all regions with a sufficiently warm and humid climate. India, Vietnam, and Brazil, in that order, are the largest producers of cashew kernels; collectively they account for more than 90% of all cashew kernel exports. One of the finest varieties of cashews come from Kollam or Quilon in Kerala, South India which alone produces 4000 tons of cashews per annum.
The cashew apple is used for its juicy but acidic pulp, which can be eaten raw or used in the production of jam, chutney, or various beverages. Depending on local customs, its juice is also processed and distilled into liquor or consumed diluted and sugared as a refreshing drink, Cajuína. In Goa, India, the cashew apple is the source of juicy pulp used to prepare fenny, a locally popular distilled liquor. The cashew apple contains much tannin and is very perishable. For this reason, in many parts of the world, the false fruit is simply discarded after removal of the cashew nut.
TURMERIC

The dried rhizome of a herbaceous plant, turmeric is closely related to ginger. The spice is also sometimes called 'Indian saffron' thanks to its brilliant yellow colour. Indian turmeric has been known to the world since ancient times. Several unique properties of Indian turmeric make it the ideal choice as a food flavour, an effective ingredient in medicines and cosmetics, and as a natural colourant. With its rich curcumin content, which imparts the distinctive yellow colour, and other inherent qualities, Indian turmeric is considered the best in the world. India is today the largest exporter of turmeric to discerning countries like the Middle East, the UK, USA and Japan. Some of the well-accepted varieties are: 'Alleppey Finger' and 'Erode turmeric' (from Tamil Nadu), 'Rajapore' and 'Sangli turmeric' (from Maharashtra) and 'Nizamabad Bulb' (from Andhra Pradesh). India also exports turmeric in powder form and as oleoresin.
GALANGA REATER GALANG
Indigenous to India, galangal shows exuberant growth and fine health along the eastern Himalayas and in south-west India. India exports several varieties of galangal in different forms. However, its volatile oil attracts more international interest because of its high medicinal value.
Food Affinities: Greater galangal: Asian chiles, beef, chicken, cilantro, coconut milk, fish, garlic, lemongrass, lime juice, nam pla, pork, rice, turmeric, yard-long beans. Lesser galangal: Coconut milk, duck, hot green chiles, lemongrass, lime juice, peanut.

COFFEE
Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. It is prepared from the roasted seeds – commonly referred to as beans – of the coffee plant, and is usually served hot but can also be served cold. A typical 7 fluid ounce (ca. 207 mL) cup of coffee contains 80-140 milligrams of caffeine, depending on the method of preparation.[1] Coffee represents 71% of all the United States caffeine consumption followed by soft drinks and tea.[2] Coffee, along with tea and water, is one of the most frequently-drunk beverages, its volume amounting to about a third that of tap water in North America and Europe.[3] In 2003, coffee was the world's sixth largest agricultural export in terms of value, behind wheat, maize, soybeans, palm oil and sugar.
Coffee plays an important role in many societies throughout the world today. From the coffeehouses of the 16th century, to the modern day cafés, coffee has had a profound impact on the lifestyles of people from all walks of life. When it first appeared in Africa and Yemen, it was commonly used as a type of religious intoxicant. This usage in religious rites among the Sufi branch of Islam led to it being put on trial in Mecca for being a "heretic" substance much as wine was. It was briefly repressed at this point, and was later part of a larger ban in Ottoman Turkey under an edict that led to the death of thousands of people.[15] Its early association in Europe with rebellious political activities led to its banning in England, among other places.[16] In India the Indian Coffee Houses became an icon of the worker's struggle. This restaurant chain is now owned by the workers of ICHs, as a result of the struggle performed by the thrown-out workers from the Coffee Houses of Coffee Board. This struggle was led by famed Communist leader of India A. K. Gopalan. Thus the ICHs became the meeting places of the progressive-minded in India later
TEA
Tea is a shrub, grown for a hot drink made from its leaves. Tea is appreciated both for its stimulant properties and health benefits, and as the centre of social rituals such as the Japanese tea ceremony and British teatime.
Tea is a beverage made by steeping processed leaves, buds, or twigs of the tea bush (Camellia sinensis) in hot water for a few minutes. The processing can include oxidation (fermentation), heating, drying, and the addition of other herbs, flowers, spices, and fruits. There are four basic types of true tea: black tea, oolong tea, green tea, and white tea. The term "herbal tea" usually refers to infusions of fruit or herbs (such as rosehip, chamomile, or jiaogulan) that contain no C. sinensis. (Alternative terms for herbal tea that avoid the word "tea" are tisane and herbal infusion). This article is concerned exclusively with preparations and uses of the tea plant C. sinensis. Tea is a natural source of caffeine, theobromine, theophylline, theanine, and antioxidants, but it has almost no fat, carbohydrates, or protein. It has a cooling, slightly bitter and astringent taste.
CASSIA
Cassia is the dried husk (bark) of a small, bushy evergreen tree. Though botanically has close relations, cassia is considered inferior to cinnamon. There are different varieties of cassia, obtained from different species of Cinnamomum and originating from different sources. These include 'Chinese', 'Indonesian', 'Saigon', 'Vietnamese' and 'Indian'. Though there is a generic likeness in the aromatic properties of the various species of cassia, they do exhibit differences in some respects. Cassia bark is a popular ingredient in foods, beverages, perfumery, toiletries and cosmetics, while the oil of cassia finds extensive application in liquors and beauty products. Cassia is often used as a less costly substitute to true cinnamon. In India, cassia is grown in the North-Eastern states and in the evergreen tracts along the high ranges of the Western Ghats.