Wayanad Spices Online: What Wayanad Grows Best (and What to Buy From Where)

Wayanad and Idukki get mentioned together a lot. Both are in Kerala's hills, both grow spices, and both have plenty of online shops selling "farm fresh" produce. But they're quite different places, and they're good at different things.

We're a spice business based in Idukki, and we also source from Wayanad. So we'll be straight with you about what we buy where and why.

Where Wayanad is, and why things grow well there

Wayanad is in the far north-east of Kerala, up on a plateau where Kerala meets Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. It's greener and gentler than Idukki's steep hills, with lots of forest, paddy fields in the valleys and plantations on the slopes. It gets heavy monsoon rain too, which suits pepper, coffee and ginger.

What Wayanad is known for

• Coffee. This is the big one. Wayanad grows a lot of robusta coffee, and "Wayanad Robusta" has had a Geographical Indication (GI) tag since 2019. That's official recognition that coffee from here has its own character.
• Black pepper. Wayanad has a long history with pepper, and it's grown across the district alongside coffee.
• Ginger and turmeric. Both grow widely in the district.
• Cardamom, cloves and others. These grow in some higher pockets, but on a smaller scale than in Idukki.

What we buy from Wayanad, and what we don't

Our Naadan Filter Coffee is Wayanad Robusta blended with chicory, in the mix used for hotel-style South Indian filter coffee. That's our Wayanad product. If you're after coffee with no chicory in it at all, this isn't that one, so check with us on WhatsApp before you order.

Our cardamom, pepper and cloves come from Idukki, where we live and farm. We'd rather tell you that clearly than put "Wayanad" on a cardamom pack because it's a popular search term. When you see a place name on a spice, it should mean the spice actually came from there.

Wayanad vs Idukki

Neither is better, really. They're just good at different things. Want coffee? Look north to Wayanad. Want cardamom? Look south to Idukki. Pepper grows well in both.

How to buy Wayanad produce online without getting fooled

1. Ask what exactly comes from Wayanad. A seller who says "everything" when they're selling ten different spices is worth a second question.
2. For coffee, ask about the roast date. Roasted coffee loses its smell over weeks. Freshly roasted and ground is what you want.
3. For pepper, do the bite test. Heavy, dark, wrinkled corns that taste hot and slightly citrusy are good. Light, dusty ones aren't.
4. Check where the business is. A real address in Kerala doesn't guarantee quality, but a missing one is a warning sign.

Making Kerala-style filter coffee at home

If you're buying Wayanad coffee, this is the way most Kerala homes drink it:

1. Put 2 to 3 heaped spoons of coffee powder in the top chamber of a steel filter and press it lightly.
2. Pour in hot water, just off the boil, and cover. Leave it to drip for 10 to 15 minutes. The thick decoction collects below.
3. Heat milk until it's frothy. Add a few spoons of decoction and sugar to taste.
4. Pour it between the tumbler and davara a few times to cool it and build the froth.

No filter? A French press works fine. Use a slightly finer hand with the water.

Questions we get asked

Do you sell Wayanad pepper or cardamom?

No. Our pepper and cardamom are from Idukki. Our Wayanad product is our filter coffee.

How long does delivery take?

Usually 4 to 5 working days across India. Shipping is free on orders above ₹649.

Can I order coffee and spices together?

Yes. There's a combo pack with tea, coffee and honey, or you can add spices to the same order.

If you're after Kerala spices in general, our guide to buying Kerala spices online covers what to check. And if cardamom is what you're after, read about buying from Idukki.