Emperor Akbar is renowned the world over for its premium cardamom. It has been authorized to use the GI tag “Alleppey Green Cardamom” as per the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act,1999. And there’s also a lovely little backstory to it all.
Cut to the 18th century… the gentle slopes of Kerala were lush with cardamom plantations. A spice whose demand dated back to historic times, and whose popularity had only strengthened with the passage of time.
Merchants from around the world were taking the arduous sea route just to lay their hands on this Queen of Spices. Realising the global demand for what grew liberally around his kingdom, the Raja of Travancore sniffed a huge opportunity. He decreed that all produce be mandatorily sold only to his official, who would forward it to the main depot in Alleppey, which was then the most important port in Travancore.
The best quality pods were then carefully separated by specially appointed and skilled labourers, and earmarked for export. This led to development of cardamom sorting and processing in Alleppey which resulted in the naming of the most high quality cardamom produce from the region as Alleppey Green Cardamom.
And so was born the legend of Alleppey Green Cardamom. By fate and by design, the Raja had created a unique Green Gold! Or Golden Green at it was called.
Like ants to honey, merchants from around the world sailed across the seas in search of this golden green. And they still do today, albeit via more convenient and regulatory trade channels.
The rich legacy of Alleppey Green Cardamom continues even today, through the commitment and quality of Emperor Akbar Cardamom.
