Things to Buy in Kerala

I like to think of myself as a pretty organized and intentional shopper. I always come prepared with a well-researched, prioritized list—mainly to avoid two things: a) the nightmare of going over my luggage limit (because that stress is _very_real, lol), and b) buying things that end up shoved in a box instead of being used for something functional or decorative.

That said, there have been only three cities where I’ve completely lost my grip—where the excitement (and FOMO) was so intense that I found myself second-guessing everything I* wasn’t* buying. One of those cities? Kerala.

So, to save you the overwhelm, here’s my two cents—and a list of things I genuinely loved and recommend picking up from Kerala.

1. Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil
2. Banana & Jackfruit Chips
3. Hair & Massage Oil
4. Headache Blam
5. Spices - Cardamom, White Pepper, Black Pepper, Cinnamon
6. Single Origin Tea
7. Essential oil - Lemongrass, Eucalyptus etc.
8. Local Linen Shirts for men

Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil

Cold-pressed coconut oil in Kerala is renowned for its purity, aroma, and traditional extraction methods. It is made by pressing fresh coconut meat (copra) without using heat, which helps retain its nutrients, antioxidants, and natural flavor. Known locally as “velichenna”  or “thengai ennai”, this oil is a staple in Kerala households for cooking, skincare, and haircare.

The cold-pressed coconut oil here is typically extracted in wooden mills (called “chekku”  or “ghani”), ensuring a chemical-free, nutrient-rich product. You can find authentic versions in local markets, ayurvedic shops, and village co-ops across the state.

If you’re visiting Kerala, this oil makes an excellent souvenir—especially if purchased from regions like Kannur, Thrissur, or Alleppey, where traditional methods are still widely practiced. Unfortunately, I dont have photos of the souvenirs so this is going to be mainly text blog :). Banana and Jackfruit Chips

One of the iconic snacks of Kerala. Banana chips are sliced thin and deep-fried in Coconut oil. Sometimes they add turmeric and are lightly salted. We munched on them on all our drives and evenings. Similarly Jackfruit Chips are sliced thin and deep fried in Coconut oil which makes the taste nuttier and earthy for this humble vegetable. When buying the chips, consider supporting the local Business and buy fresh from small shops, you will be surprised how delicious they are.

Hair & Massage Oil

Kerala Head and Body Massage Oils  are deeply rooted in Ayurvedic traditions, crafted from medicinal herbs infused in pure oils like cold-pressed coconut oil, sesame oil, or castor oil. These oils are used in therapies to promote relaxation, improve circulation, relieve stress, and nourish the skin and hair.

We bought a massage with Potli for my Mom’s back and a hair oil for me. Though the oils do not cure any ailment in 2-3 months time but we saw relief while using them. Please note - When buying, look for authentic Ayurvedic labels, preferably with GMP certification or sourced from well-known Kerala pharmacies. Also, they may try to sell medicines to cure diabtetes and other ailments, pleas be cautious, use your judgement and say no when something does not sense right. The people are kind and trying to make a living, a polite no is all they need.

Headache Relieving Roll-On

I’m still using this little gem! It cost just 100 Rs (a little over $1), and it’s been an absolute lifesaver—lasted me nearly a year. Just a quick dab on the temples and forehead, and it melts the headache away. Hands down one of the best purchases we made in Kerala. I’m definitely stocking up on more during our next visit.

The bottle comes as an easy-to-use roll-on. Just a heads-up: it can leave a faint green tint on your forehead after application, but it didn’t stain any clothes or pillowcases and washes off easily with water.

Spices - Cardamom, White Pepper, Black Pepper, Cinnamon

Ok, so there is not enough space on this page for me to go ga ga over the spices but they are really good and worth every penny. We bought White Pepper, Black Pepper, Cardamom, Cinnamon and all of them were top-quality and were also mom-approved :).

We use these spices in day-to-day cooking for example, California in winters are not crazy but still quite cold, we always put a bit of crushed cardamom and black pepper in our Indian chai to help fight cold/cough. We use White peppe r in Soups, Indo-asian food and in salad dressings, I love the flavor of white pepper in dressings, its more earthier, try it. Cinnamon is used in small amounts, a tiny stick can do wonders in curries. I like to crush it a bit and put it on my Oats, Chia Seeds pudding and golden Turmeric milk for cold nights.

A few things to note on some of these spices which will help you purchase the best grade:

1. Cardamom
   1. It is graded based on size, color, weight, and aroma. You may find them listed as:
   2. AGB 8 which means Alleppey Green Bold, 8mm size. AGB is the most exported and top quality. 7-8 mm sizes are usually available. We purchased 8mm AGB and were very happy with it.
   3. AGS is Alleppey Green Superior, the size is a litle smaller for this pod but they are still good quality. 6-7m m tends to be the size and used in many homes in India and in Ayurveda.
   4. Buy Cardamom that is whole has plump pod with brightgreen hue.
   5. Buy from spice markets in Thekkady, Kumily, or Munnar, or trusted spice shops in Cochin and Alleppey.
   6. Once you bring them home, store them in a ziplock or air-tight container and put in a refrigerator (please do not freeze). Cardamom maintained its green color for months when we kept it in a ziplock in a refrigerator.
2. White Pepper
   1. It is a lesser-known gem compared to black pepper, but it holds a special place in traditional Kerala cooking and Ayurvedic medicine. It is made by removing the outer black skin of ripe pepper berries, leaving the inner white seed, which has a milder flavor but a more intense heat.
   2. Their color is white to beige cream and has earthy, sharp taste.
   3. White Pepper is Ideal in light-colored dishes like soups, white sauces, stews, and fish curries and we use it a lot in Indo-Asian style food.
3. Black Pepper
   1. Black pepper from Kerala is globally celebrated as the “King of Spices”, known for its rich aroma, pungent flavor, and medicinal properties.
   2. Kerala, particularly regions like Idukki, Wayanad, Thekkady, and Munnar, produces some of the finest varieties of Malabar black pepper.
   3. You can find a few types of Black Pepper -Malabar Black Pepper (from Western Ghats, medium size, and known for its essential oil content and use in both Indian and international cuisine. Tellicherry Black Pepper (TGSEB – Tellicherry Garbled Special Extra Bold) - Large mature berries (4.75mm and above), grown near Thalassery in Northern Kerala. These are the premium export-grade pepper with complex flavor notes—woody, citrusy, and bold.
   4. For both White and Black Pepper -Buy them whole and just grind them at home in a small grinder. Whole spices are more aromatic when freshly ground and elevate the dish.
4. Cinnamon
   1. Ceylon Cinnamon which is native to Sri Lanka, is also grown in Kerala. These are thin, light brown quills that can be easily broken.
   2. You may also find Cassia bark which looks and but smells more intensely than true/Ceylon Cinnamon.

All the spices we purchased were in 250gms, 500gms and 1 kilogram (2.2 pounds) packets. Some spices like Cardamom and White/Black Pepper can be slightly expensive, they can go from $55-$75 per kilogram (2.2 pounds).

Single Origin Tea

Single origin tea in Kerala refers to tea that is grown, harvested, and processed in a specific estate or region, without blending with teas from other areas. Kerala, especially its high ranges in the Western Ghats, produces exceptional single origin teas known for their distinct flavor profiles, purity, and terroir. Tip - Look for packaging that mentions estate name, harvest season, and processing method— hallmarks of true single origin quality

We bought one packet and sadly lost in transit. We had only tasted that tea and it was briliant and had a perfect brisk taste. We would definitely explore this more in our next trip.

Essential Oils - Lemongrass and Eucalyptus Thanks to Kerala’s rich biodiversity, Ayurvedic heritage, and ideal climate for growing medicinal plants, essential oils is a hub here. We purchased some lemongrass oil (a small bottle of 250 rs about 3.5 USD), this essentil oil is steam-distilled and is used in Aromatherapy and insect repellant. I usually put a few drops in water and wipe counters, they smell fresh and repel any fruit bugs from the counters. Eucalyptus Oil, grown in high-altitude regions like Munnar, Vagamon, and Wayanad. It is known for its cooling, decongestant, and anti-inflammatory properties. It is used for sinus treatments and I sometimes just put a drop or two on my pillow before sleeping, if my Sinus is really bothering me.

Linen Shirts for Men

We purchased some linen shirts for my husband and the quality is very good for its price. My suggestion would be to go to local handloom stores or govt. run shops to help contribute in the local community and purchase authentic linen.

This was it my fellow travelers! Hope this list was helpful, let me know if you would like me to add any additional information here.

#Spices #Kerala #Travel