What to Buy, Where to Buy and Why to Buy
Tea and Coffee – Feel The Flavour And Aroma
Spices – Get Ready To Spice Your Tongue
Banana Chips And Cashew Nuts – Taste The Crunch And Flakiness
Kasavu Mundu And Dresses – Dress Like Never Before
Handicrafts – Take Away Kerala’s Famous Souvenirs
Aroma Oils – Heal Your Body And Senses
Jewelry – Wear The Fascinating Neckpieces
Spice Market, Kochi – Spice Up Your Taste
Connemara Market, Trivandrum – Shop Like Never Before
Asparagus, Varkala – Pamper Yourself With Some Kerala Delights
Hindustan Spices And Herbals, Idukki – Taste The Authentic Spices
Pulickatti Handicrafts, Alappuzha – Decorate Your House With Kerala Souvenir
LuLu Mall, Kochi – Enjoy The Famous Delicacies Of Kerala
Centre Square Mall, Kochi – Shop Some Of Kerala’s Favourites
Oberon Mall, Kochi – Shop Exquisite Brands
R P Mall, Kollam – Watch Cinema And Relish Kerala Cuisine
Focus Mall, Kozhikode – Pick Your Favourite From Diverse Designs
Tea And Coffee – Feel the flavour and aroma
Bagging tea and coffee is an important part of shopping in Kerala at Munnar. The Nilgiri Tea grown in various parts of Kerala and Kerala Kapi & Monsooned Malabar Coffee are rich in aroma, taste, and color. These can be obtained from local shops or certified counters of the tea & coffee estates.
Where to find Tea Estates: Munnar, Kolukkumalai, Wayanad, and Vagamon
Where to find Coffee Estates: Wayanad, Gavi, Nenmara, Idukki, and Peermade
Spices – Get ready to spice your tongue
Nothing beats Kerala in its variety & quality of spices and the expansive spice plantations. Be it fresh black pepper, cloves, turmeric, cardamom, cinnamon, or star anise, the richness & aroma of these spices is something to die for. Spices are one of the most important things to buy in Kerala. If you are shopping in Kerala for spices, head to the locals shops in Kumily (near Thekkady) and around Fort Kochi.
Where to find spice plantations: Munnar, Kumily, Periyar, and Thekkady
Banana Chips And Cashew Nuts – Taste The Crunch And Flakiness
Locally known as Nenthra-kaya Upperi, banana chips are amongst the most popular items to shop in Kerala. Relaxing on the the beach shore while munching on this finger-licking snack is surely one of our favourite things to do on Kerala trip. They have a huge fandom in not just South but even in North of India. In some of the shops, you get the privilege of watching how they are actually prepared. Another best consumable product that you can buy from Kerala is cashew nuts, that are available here at quality and price. You can visit the cashew farms for experience or simply buy them from the shops. Both are available in abundance at local stalls, especially in and around Fort Kochi. Don’t forget to taste and bargain if you are planning to buy in bulk.
Where to find Banana Chips: Kumari banana chips, Reeju Banana chips in Chirakkal, Calicut banana chips in Thrissur
Where to find Cashew Nuts: Thankam Cashew Factory, South Kerala Cashew Exporters, Kerala Nut Food Company in Kollam
Kasavu Mundu And Dresses – Dress Like Never Before
Kasavu Mundu is the traditional textile of Kerala. It is a pure handmade cotton cloth with typical zari border. Though these are Malayalee custom dresses, nowadays people generally wear during ceremonies, temple visits, and weddings. Prices may vary with the difference in the handwork, the material, and the place from where it is bought. There are branded outlets as well as local shops for some steal deal.
Where to find Kasavu Mundu: Kasavukada in Kochi, Kasavu Kada in Thiruvalla, Kasavu Kada in Kottayam
Handicrafts – Take Away Kerala’s Famous Souvenirs
Coconut and Coir Products: Kerala, the land of coconut, is an ideal place to pick coconut and coir products. These include rugs, carpets, mats, and some amazing cool souvenirs made of coconut husk.
Kathakali Mask: One should not leave Kerala without buying a Kathakali souvenir. Be it a wall hanging mask or a fridge magnet, this is one of most alluring shopping attractions in Kerala.
Nettur Casket and Chundan Vallam & Uru Models: Some of the fascinating wooden chests of the world are made in Kerala. Kerala is globally popular for snake boat races and you must definitely pick a Chundan Vallam or Urus (model boats) as souvenirs for gifting someone or decorating your own household.
Nettipattam: Well-decorated elephants can be seen during festivals, ceremonies, and marriages. Nettipattam, the decorative ornament used for elephants, can also be used as wall hanging or décor.
Nilavilakku: Nilavilakku or traditional Malayali oil lamp is another important handicraft of Kerala. It is considered as one of the significant items for traditional home décor.
Where to find Coconut & Coir Products: Theertham Natural Coconut & Coir Products, Coconut Product Impex, Techno Exports- Coconut & Coco Peat Manufacturer
Where to find Kathakali Mask: Government Emporiums, Local stalls
Where to find Nettur Casket and Chundan Vallam & Uru Models: Local Market and stalls
Where to find Nettipattam: During festival time on Local stalls
Where to find Nilavilakku: Ponnani Al Maqtoom Juma Masjid and Jarams (holy caves)
Aroma Oils – Heal Your Body And Senses
Kerala is a place that boasts of best of the practices of Ayurveda science. Healing spa therapies, beauty treatments, and rejuvenating massages are popular in Kerala. Almost every resort has individual spa centers. A wide range of essential aromatic oils needed for various therapeutic treatments is available in Kerala at the best competitive rates. These aromatic oils have a soothing effect on body and mind. You can also take a few to gift to your friends.
Where to find Aroma Oils: Dharani Products, JJ Aromatics $ Essential Oils, Malabar Farms & Essential Oils
Where to find Jewellery: Malabar Gold & Diamonds, Bhima Jewellery in Alappuha, Josco Jewellers in Ernakulam.
Jewelry – Wear The Fascinating Neckpieces
To inspire the womanhood in you, check out the fascinating and super cool jewelry (both artificial and gold) available in various cities. The gold ones reflect traditional Malayalam spirit while the junk jewelry and amazing in design and pattern.
Spice Market, Kochi – Spice Up Your Taste
The Spice Market in Kochi is one of the extremely popular shopping places in Kerala. It is lined up with local stores dealing with wide variety of spices. The strong aroma & vibrant colors of spices and the bustling market attract tourists round the year.
Famous for: Wide variety of spices like hand-picked ginger, cloves, cardamom, turmeric, and pepper or black gold.
Timings: 10 am – 9:30 pm
Also in Kochi: Anokhi for Contemporary Crafted Textiles, Tribes India for tribal items (Paintings, shawls, and figurines), and Niraamaya for Ayurvedic clothing & textiles
Connemara Market, Trivandrum – Shop Like Never Before
Connemara Market, also known as Palayam Market, is a popular shopping destination in Trivandrum. The marketplace is dotted with local unbranded shops that sell vegetables, groceries, household items, coir products, and garments.
Famous for: Fish, live goats, fabric, clothes, spices and mistletoe and wine (during Christmas)
Timings: 7 am onwards
Also in Trivandrum:
Chalai Market: Popularly known as Kerala’s busiest street market, Chalai Bazaar is another prime shopping destination in Trivandrum. While locals come here to pick their daily vegetable & grocery stocks, tourists explore this market for garments and beverages.
Sarwaa: Sarwaa is another must-visit shop in Trivandrum. It is an extensive outlet with a splendid collection of different ethnic brands of knick-knacks, handicrafts, ornaments, rustic motifs, junk jewelries, and mural painting on bamboo frames.
Asparagus, Varkala – Pamper Yourself With Some Kerala Delights
Asparagus is a one-of-its-kind eco-shop in Varkala that deals with all kinds of Kerala handloom, Kerala handicrafts, organic and khadi cotton and spices.
Famous for: Kalamkari, Ayur-vastra, and spices like cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, turmeric, & coffee powder
Timings: 10 am – 5:30 pm
Also in Varkala: The Art of India is another handicraft shop, known for moderately priced handicrafts, jewelry, pashmina, and carpets.
Hindustan Spices And Herbals, Idukki – Taste The Authentic Spices
One of the primary hubs for spice shopping in Kerala, Hindustan Spices & Herbals is a one-stop solution for all kinds of spices and medicinal herbs with therapeutic value.
Pulickatti Handicrafts, Alappuzha – Decorate Your House With Kerala Souvenir
Located near the boat jetty, Pulickatti is a fantastic and reasonably priced shop for souvenirs and artifacts.
Famous for: Wooden and metal handicrafts
Timing: 10 am to 6 pm
Also in Alappuzha: The place is popular for backwater canals, beaches, paddy fields, houseboats cruises.
LuLu Mall, Kochi – Enjoy The Famous Delicacies Of Kerala
Spread over sprawling 17 acres, Lulu Mall is a major attraction of Kochi and one of the most popular shopping destinations in Kerala. With more than 215 branded shops, bustling food court, movie theaters, ice skating, and bowling alleys, this majestic looking mall pulls tourists around the year. With various famous food outlets, LuLu Mall allows visitors to relish the succulent flavours of famous Kerala sweets.
Timings: 9 am – 10 pm
Famous for: Great food options and variety of shops selling coconut products, spices, tea, coffee
Centre Square Mall, Kochi – Shop Some Of Kerala’s Favourites
Another up-market mall in Kochi, the Centre Square is one of the popular shopping places in Kochi. This 5-storey mall is one of the best places to visit in Kerala and has so much to offer, including big brand players, happening food court, activity centers and movie screens that attract local people as well as travelers for a fantastic shopping experience.
Timings: 10 am – 10 pm
Famous for: Watching movies, KFC, Mc D restaurant
Oberon Mall, Kochi – Shop Exquisite Brands
Opened in 2009, this Oberon Mall is a lifestyle center with top listed domestic & global brands in retail, food, and recreation. With close to 100 stores & kiosks, this glamorous shopping place in Kerala houses some of the leading brands in fashion accessories, white goods, fine dining, and international Spa. However, this mall is more famous for having the first multiplex theater in Kerala.
Timings: 10 am – 10 pm
Famous for: Retail, food such as sea fish and seafood, recreation
R P Mall, Kollam – Watch Cinema And Relish Kerala Cuisine
Formerly known as the K Mall, RP Mall is the pioneering lifestyle venture from the renowned Malabar developers. This sprawling 2,10,000 sq.ft mall has 5 bustling floors. It houses leading names in fashion, jewelry, salon, food court, wedding studio, and cinemas.
Timings: 11 am – 10 pm
Famous for: Retail shops, Mc D restaurant for food lovers
Also in Kollam: It is famous for cashews trading and as a processing industry.
Focus Mall, Kozhikode – Pick Your Favourite From Diverse Designs
Located in the heart of Calicut city, Focus Mall is a popular shopping hub here. Its prime location, graceful design, and plethora of facilities pull tourists throughout the year. With escalators to shopping areas, see-through capsule elevators, ample parking space, and numerous branded shops, Focus Mall assures impressive footfall every day.
Timings: 10 am – 11 pm
Famous for: World class shopping mall where you can find almost everything
Also in Kozhikode: Trading in cotton, spices with Chinese, Jews and Arabs.
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